Choke is a documentary made on one of the first Vale Tudo tournaments in Japan. The 90 minutes documentary follows fighters who are participating in it with Rickson Gracie being the central figure. Documentary was filmed in 1995 but it did not see release up until 1999, when it hit cinemas.

Reality of MMA fighters

Film was directed by Robert Raphael Goodman, and as mentioned, it follows preparation and competition of all fighters participating in no-holds-barred tournament in Japan in 95. At that time term MMA did not existed and the sport was still bare knuckle (even do UFC at that time started implementing gloves in America). But even with gloves, sport had very few rules and it was equally brutal in both organisations.

Vale Tudo Japan had no weight categories and prize money was 60 000 dollars, up for grab. Director had biggest interest in following Rickson Gracie, MMA legend and son of one of the founding fathers of BJJ- Helio Gracie. Rickson was the main favorite to win and still to this day is enjoying cult status in Japan.

Modern day Samurai

Movie follows Rickson in preparation, where he shares his innovative training methods, his samurai like mindset coming into fight, breathing exercises and Ginastica Natural- body weight movement training. Helio Gracie was also interviewed, explaining domination of BJJ against other martial arts.

Other fighters featured in documentary are Japanese MMA legend Yuki Nakai, who showcased „heart of a lion“ by being the smallest guy in the tournament and american kick-boxer Todd Hays who used this tournament to fund his dream of being American Olympian in bobsled.

This amazing documentary still to this day is essential staple of MMA history. Its amateur filming at its finest. Showing the reality of being the MMA fighter back when every one of them was a pioneer of the sport. You can watch the documentary on the link below. Enjoy!