Jiu-Jitsu Worlds: 15 years of timeless phrases

It’s not just submissions, takedowns, guard passes and sweeps that make up the history of the Jiu-Jitsu Worlds. The mat wizards who inhabit the pantheon of the stars of the last 14 installments of the greatest gentle art competition show they are black belts even when they open their mouths to speak.

Ever since the first edition in 1996, our stars have filled the web pages of GRACIEMAG.com with timeless utterances. Words of disgust, bursts of joy, good cheer, relief and humility spill from their lips.

Roger vs Rominho in 2009

The GRACIEMAG at the Worlds Blog dove into the past 14 years of the Worlds to rescue the best phrases uttered by the dynamos of the mats. And, of course, if you remember something once said that didn’t make it on here, don’t hesitate to post in the comments section.

A lot of folks called me crazy for creating the Jiu-Jitsu World Championship in 1996. They’d say the sport was still just crawling and need to grow a lot before there could be such a competition, but I knew the Worlds was going to lead Jiu-Jitsu to growth – Carlos Gracie Jr, CBJJ / IBJJF president.

Saulo in 2000

Finally! – Vitor “Shaolin” Ribeiro in 2000, upon beating Leo Vieira after three losses in three matches

I’m wearing my underwear and it’s not my fault he’s not wearing his – Daniel Simões in 2000, commenting on his controversial loss to Saulo Ribeiro in the super heavyweight division.

I got to beat on my chest. I’m the only five-time world champion. At least until next year – Robson Moura in 2000, upon winning his fifth gold medal in five world championships.

I’m stoked! Tonight there’s going to be a party in the favela! – Fernando Tererê in 2000, after winning the middleweight division with his victory over Nino Schembri.

To keep them from saying I’m running away, I decided to go out on a limb, but I fought with a twisted ankle – Márcio Pé de Pan in 2001, after dropping out of the absolute in the semifinal.

Shaolin defeats Leozinho

I’m a heck of a salesman! – Vitor Shaolin in 2001, after winning his second world title and selling his gi to a Japanese spectator for 200 dollars.

There’s still one more coming! – Saulo Ribeiro in 2001, after losing the medium heavyweight final to Margarida, warning that the two would meet again in the open weight final.

I scored my two points and hung on, which doesn’t go over too well in a final – Fredson Paixão in 2001, confessing that he stalled in the featherweight final.

Fredson on De La Riva's back

I watched his matches so many times that the tape broke – Fredson Paixão in 2002, with reverence for Ricardo De La Riva, who he beat in the featherweight final.

Jacaré squashes his opponents, submits them and walks off wearing the same expression he bore when he went in, without even sweat on his face. Look at that – Ryan Gracie in 2002, impressed by then-brown belt Ronaldo Souza.

He carries a lot of weight and big old legs! – Saulo Ribeiro in 2002, explaining what Pé de Pano’s weapons were, after the absolute final.

I was 30% in shape, but that’s enough for today’s Jiu-Jitsu – Márcio Pé de Pano in 2003, after winning his second absolute title in a row.

Saulo vs Pé in 2002

Look at that, now he’s in the mix, too! – Márcio Pé de Pano in 2003, after seeing Jacaré get his black belt, on the podium.

I still want Pé de Pano. He’s the best and I want to be the best by beating him – Fabrício Werdum in 2003, after winning the ultraheavyweight division.

I hit a big old plate of rice, beans and chicken at Tererê’s house. It was so good and was stuffed when I fought – Ronaldo Jacaré in 2003, explaining why he started off slow in his showing at brown belt.

At least I lost to the champ. Or do you think someone’s going to beat that monster? – Roberto Traven in 2003, predicting Jefferson Moura’s opponents in the heavyweight division wouldn’t stand a chance.

Tererê vs Marcelinho in 2003

The poor are used to sleeping under a fan. I got hit with a nasty air conditioner on the bus from São Paulo to Rio and caught an awful cold – Fernando Tererê in 2003, on the rough ride he had before winning his second middleweight title.

Once it was over, I felt like crying and hugging everyone in the stands, I was so happy – Felipe Costa in 2003, after winning the roosterweight title.

I never had a knack for it, but I train a lot – Felipe Costa, em 2003.

The score stands at 1 to 1, but I took an arm in advantage – Roger Gracie in 2004, after losing to Jacaré in the most controversial absolute final of Worlds history.

I regret nothing! – Ronaldo Jacaré in 2004, on not having tapped to Roger’s armbar.

The famous armbar

I’m not stopping! I’m not stopping! – Jacaré in 2004, after escaping Roger’s armbar.

He didn’t give me any room, all I could move were my eyes! – Fernando Tererê in 2004, on his loss to Roger in the absolute.

He has no arms or neck; makes it hard to attack him – Marcelo Uirapuru in 2004, in praise of Marcelinho after losing in the absolute.

I wanted to show how the ant can beat the cockroach – Fernando Tererê in 2004, after entering the ultraheavyweight division weighing just 80 kg.

Tererê vs Werdum in 2004

Just because I’ve fought in all the Worlds’ folks call me old. But I’m 30 – Cássio Werneck in 2004.

If they don’t watch out, I’ll submit a lot of purple belt men. I’m strong as hell – Mirella Cortes in 2004.

I didn’t get on the stand because I didn’t lose. To pick up the silver medal would be to recognize defeat – Roger Gracie in 2005, after more controversy with Jacaré.

If I’d lost, no one on my team would have questioned the result – Jacaré in 2005, complaining about Roger’s team whining.

Jacaré only fired off one shot, but it was a bull’s eye! – Saulo Ribeiro in 2005, on Jacaré’s strategy against Roger.

Jacaré takes his second, in 2005

I wanted to submit Roger and he wanted to submit me. That’s why the match was so good – Xande Ribeiro in 2006, on the absolute final.

I don’t even know what I did. I just used my grandfather’s and father’s Jiu-Jitsu, which I’ve been practicing since I was a kid – Kron Gracie in 2006, at 18 years of age, already drawing attention as a purple belt.

You see my fight? I got taken on a carousel ride! – Marcinho Feitosa in 2006, cheerful even after losing to Cobrinha.

Xande celebrates winning the absolute

It was worthy of Rocky Balboa. He got beat up the whole time, and then in the end: pow! – Saulo Ribeiro in 2006, commenting on Xande’s strategy in the absolute final.

Seems like there’s a car on top of you – Robert Drysdale in 2006, regarding the pressure of Roger Gracie

Get your hands off me! – Luiz Theodoro “Big Mac” in 2007, still disgusted with the close decision favoring Rafael Lovato Jr in the ultraheavyweight division.

Triangle defense and standing! – Saulo Ribeiro in 2007, teaching how he avoided tapping out to Rômulo Barral in the medium heavyweight division.

That’s seven! – Robson Moura in 2007, on winning his seventh title.

Robinho, seventh title, in 2007

This medal takes four years of weight off my back – Roger Gracie in 2007, relieved for winning the absolute gold medal.

I’m going to stop being the nice guy! – Xande Ribeiro in 2008, complaining about a controversial move by Gabriel Vella, who denied tapping to an armbar.

You need a ladder to fight him – André Galvão in 2008, after facing Roger in the absolute.

Pull guard, Roger! – Renzo Gracie in 2008, foreseeing that playing the standup game would not end well for his nephew in the absolute against Xande.

This win goes to respect in Jiu-Jitsu. The Gracie Barra crowd offended me! – Xande Ribeiro in 2008, shortly after becoming two-time absolute champion.

Xande pede silêncio à GB

There isn’t a name for that takedown yet, so we’ll call it xandeguruma! – Xande Ribeiro in 2008, dubbing the takedown that yielded him the two-time absolute title.

Japanese fighters are always tough. They don’t tap! – Samuel Braga, light featherweight champion in 2008.

I came here to be champion! – Mário Reis in 2008, complaining of the refereeing.

I tapped! – Kron Gracie in 2008, still in disbelief over the outcome of his black belt debut against Sérgio Moraes.

By training a lot, I’m getting to Tererê’s level, but he was a natural – André Galvão in 2008, in tribute to his eternal master after winning the medium heavyweight division.

Serginho vs Kron in 2008

I moved up in weight to escape Roger and when I look at the bracket, who do I see? Roger – Eduardo Telles in 2008, laughing as he saw the pairings in the ultra heavyweight division.

I never imagined he was that much better than the rest – Guy Richie in 2009, on his teacher Roger Gracie.

That’s the so-called invisible Jiu-Jitsu – Saulo Ribeiro in 2009, referring to Roger’s performance.

Oooh, there goes the blanket! – Gracie Barra cheering section in 2009, during Roger Gracie’s matches.

Roger bicampeão, em 2009

It even spoils the fun when I don’t get taken down – Roger Gracie in 2009, joking about his “weak point”.

Next year I’ll be back for us to put on that show again – Xande Ribeiro in 2009, saluting Roger for his second absolute title.

I felt like crying from training so much – Bruno Malfacine in 2009, on his prep work at Alliance

We’re bothering some people! – Guilherme Mendes in 2009, to the Alliance cheering section.
The snake had two heads! – Rubens Charles Cobrinha in 2009, responding to provocations from the Mendes brothera in Abu Dhabi one month earlier.

Cobrinha gets his fourth in 2009

I only beat Kyra because I’m big – Lana Stefanac in 2009, after being crowned champion of the absolute black belt division.

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