Wallid Ismail is an iconic figure in BJJ and MMA. A Vale Tudo fighter and MMA pioneer, his name is synonymous with Brazil’s old school tough guys. He holds high profile wins over members of the Gracie family and is well known for his aggressive style. Click “Read More” for show notes!

SHOW NOTES:

Growing up in the Amazon and his predisposition for fighting

Wallid’s clever tactic he used going into his first tournament

The decision to move to Rio as a teenager to pursue a higher level of training

The time he challenged a random “skinny guy” to spar on his first day at Carlson Gracie’s academy

His love for pressure passing

Being one of the first sponsored BJJ athletes

Loyalty in modern Jiu-Jitsu

His greatest lesson from Master Carlson Gracie

How he made the spark that lit the feud between Jiu-Jitsu and Luta Livre

Stories from the BJJ/Luta Livre rivalry, Rickson Gracie vs Hugo Duarte

His intense feud with Ryan, Ralph and Renzo Gracie

Fighting Royce Gracie on national television

How he has changed as a person over time

How his feelings towards Renzo have changed over time

The biggest moment of his MMA career

The reason he decided to retire

Life as a fight promoter / the foundation of Jungle Fight MMA

[powerpress]