Cesar Gracie is a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu black belt who recently was part of the 1st ever MMA event to take place in California. The Shamrock vs. Gracie main event sold out the H.P Pavilion in San Jose as a record 18,000 MMA witnessed Cesar take on Frank Shamrock. MaXfighting was able to catch up with Cesar to discuss the feud, the Northern California MMA scene and Gracie’s team of talented fighters.

Do you feel feud between Gracie and Shamrock is over? Is there a sense of completion after the fight on March 10th?

I think the feud was probably settled before the fight. It was settled years ago after awhile it just got silly.

Talk about training for your fight, how was training for MMA different from your training for Jiu-Jitsu matches?

We did five minutes round with punching and kicking, everything. The biggest thing for me was I really should of stuck with what I’m a expert at which is Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. When you get comfortable with striking you think your getting pretty good at it but you don’t understand you’re still an amateur and you’re fighting a pro. It’s better to put them in your world, where you’re the pro. That was a tactical mistake on my part but you live and learn from that. I’m happy I did it.

How do feel about the first MMA event in California? Did the event live up to your expectations?

It was definitely a success. I know they turned away over 1,000 people at the door. It was the biggest event in the U.S so far. Obviously I didn’t have the outcome I wanted, which was disappointing, however I was very happy to be a part of it and excited to be there.

Do you plan on fighting in any more MMA matches?

I haven’t really thought about it. I’m not against but I don’t really have any plans for it

Give us an update on your team of fighters, in particular David Terrell and Jake Shields?

David Terrell is doing really good he’s fighting in the up coming UFC 59: Reality Check and when he finally lives up to his potential he’ll be a incredible force in MMA. I hope that happens real soon here. Jake Shields is got to be one of the best fighters in the world right now, at his weight class 170 I think he’s top 5.I honestly believe that. He’s going to fight at the Rumble at the Rock; I would not be surprised if he wins that GP tournament. Gilbert Melendez just keeps winning. That’s the thing about that kid he never quits. He just keeps winning fights he’s 12-0. One guy to really look out for is Nick’s brother Nathan Diaz. He’s got one loss and it was decision loss in Japan to Koji Oishi (Pancrase - 2005 Neo-Blood Tournament Finals). Who is actually a much better fighter than people give him credit for, (talking about Oishi)  he lost that fight to Nick (UFC 53) pretty convincingly but he’s beaten some really good opponents, he’s a tough guy. It was only Nathan’s second fight and he was fighting in Pancrase it was the main event of the night a lot of people were there and that can really have a affect on your performance sometimes. I think from what I’ve been seeing of him he’s getting more comfortable ever fight he’s out there and I expect really big things from Nathan Diaz.

What is the Gracie family up to? Can share with us some insights into what’s happening with the family?

I saw Royce last week .He’s doing good he’s up in San Francisco practicing a little stand up. He’s got that fight with Hughes which is going to be a tough test. Renzo I spoke with him before and after my fight, he’s been focusing on his team a lot he’s involved with the IFL. He’s getting his fighters ready for that and he’s really focused on running his academy out in New York. I saw Rodrigo also, he’s staying in shape and he’ll be fighting again soon.
 

Finally what’s the latest news with your school? What events are coming up that fight fans can look forward to?

Every year up here we have the Gracie Open which is pretty much the biggest tournament in northern California. That’s going to be happening on the 24th of June.

Northern California has become a pretty big hub for MMA over the past couple of years.

We really don’t get the attention southern California does because the magazines are in southern California and there are so many Jiu-Jitsu schools down their but northern California seems to be producing more of the top fighters.

Is there anyone you would like to thank?

Thanks to everyone who trains in martial arts and who follow the sport whether it be MMA or Jiu-Jitsu.

Source: www.MaxFighting.com