"Helio's sons have all taught at the academy at one time or another. They are black belts. They are bigger than their father, darker, but the look in their eyes is only a parody of their father's truly menacing look. Except for Rickson. He has his own look. Not menacing but devoid of emotion. The blankness of the supremely confident. Rickson is 29, as muscular as a bodybuilder, with a Marine's crewcut, the high cheekbones of an Inca Indian and a square jaw. If Rorion is amiably handsome, Rickson is devastatingly handsome. Noted photographer Bruce Weber devoted 36 pages of his book on Rio ( O Rio De Janeiro) to the Gracies and Rickson. Rickson as a baby being tossed high into the air by his father. Rickson, in bikini shorts, on his back on a mat in a ring, his legs wrapped around the hips of a muscular black man, also in bikini shorts, who is trying to strangle him."

Playboy, September 1989 (Vol. 36, no. 9) Pat Jordan

R i c k s o n   G r a c i e, at five feet ten inches, is the acknowledged current champion of the Gracie clan. He is a son of Helio and never conceded a black-belt jiu-jitsu match in his jiu-jitsu tournament career. He is undefeated in NHB (no-holds barred). At age fifteen, he started to teach his family's art, and at eighteen he received his Black Belt. He trained under Rolls Gracie who was considered one of the Gracie clan's most gifted jiu-jitsu and vale tudo fighter of his generation. In turn, as Roll's protege, Rickson has become the greatest jiu-jitsu fighter alive.
 

Rickson in tournament action.

At the age of 20, Rickson defeated a 230-pound brawler named Zulu who enjoyed an undefeated record of 140-0 at that time. Five years later, Zulu requested a rematch and was again defeated by Rickson in Maracanazinho. (Fight footage is on one of the Gracie In-Action video tapes) The fight footage shows Rickson cautiously approaching the huge brawler, Zulu. In white bikini trunks, Rickson eventually closed the distance to clinch with Zulu. The powerful Zulu was able to pick Rickson up and slam him down to the mat. Rickson held tightly and wrapped his legs around Zulu's torso. Rickson struggled to control the huge Zulu. Eventually, Zulu made a mistake, which allowed the patient Rickson to slowly work to Zulu's back. Rickson snaked his way around Zulu's torso to end up hugging Zulu from behind and applying a choke. Zulu struggles in vain as he taps out in submission. 

 

Rickson (bottom) fights Zulu.
 

Zulu (top) in Rickson's guard.

Rickson also defeated Hugo Duarte, a vale tudo fighter on one occasion on the beaches of Rio. (This was captured on video tape and is on one of the Gracie In-Action tapes. Duarte belongs to a fighting style called "Luta Livre," which is known as the archrival in NHB competition of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in Brazil. Duarte would be defeated a second time by Rickson after Duarte's challenge.
 

From left: Rickson, Duarte, Royce.

Rickson fought in a Japanese event called Vale Tudo Japan. He won the first two NHB tournaments. His brother and partner, Royler Gracie has also appeared in the Vale Tudo Japan in 1996. Royler defeated Noburu Asahi, a shootfighter using the rear-naked choke in a NHB rules match.
 
 
 

Rickson strikes at Levicki.

In December 1997, Rickson fought in an Japanese event called Pride 1 and defeated a Japanese pro wrestler named Takada. He came in with a shaved head and appeared heavier than before. In 1988, he met Takada for a rematch and defeated Takada once again with a submission in Pride 4.