BJJ News — erik-paulson

In the retelling of MMA history, there's a story that shows up everywhere: Erik Paulson, the pioneering cross-trainer and link between the Gracie family and early American MMA, claims he sat in on negotiations between Rickson Gracie and PRIDE FC. The story goes that Paulson watched Rickson's demands

Three weeks ago, on April 10, Rigan Machado walked into the Combat Submission Wrestling World Conference in Los Angeles and walked out a 9th-degree red belt. Rorion Gracie tied it on him.

Rorion Gracie promoted Rigan Machado to 9th-degree red belt at the CSW World Conference on April 10. The IBJJF's own database had listed Machado — a Pan Am champion, ADCC medalist, and 40-year veteran — as just a 3rd-degree black belt.