Mario Sperry talks about the early days of Carlson’s academy and shares several epic stories including fighting Wallid Ismail on a bathroom floor, surfing brawls and his old rivalry with Royler Gracie. He also talks about the Pride days and his new school. Click “read more” for show notes!
SHOW NOTES:
- Origins
- Surfing
- Confidence
- Learning Judo with Jiu-Jitsu
- Finding Carlson Gracie’s academy
- Fighting Wallid Ismail on the bathroom floor
- Luta Livre vs Jiu-Jitsu in the 90’s
- “The best martial art”
- His rivalry with Royler Gracie
- Carlson’s position with the rest of the family
- Steroid use in Brazil during the 80’s and 90’s
- The Pummel
- His intro to Vale Tudo
- Brazil’s Vale Tudo scene in the 80’s and 90’s
- PRIDE FC
- Why he doesn’t watch MMA in public anymore
- The Brazilian Top Team vs Chute Boxe rivalry in Pride
- The Team Carlson split / The formation of Brazilian Top Team
- Pride’s Yakuza roots
- His final MMA fight
- His new academy in Miami
- Learning English
- His favorite thing about teaching
- How he would like to be remembered