Interview and 50 minute Vale Tudo fight: Rinaldo Santos vs. Carlos Henrique ( Bigu Branco)

Professor Rinaldo Santos is a 4th degree Black Belt under the legendary Master Carlson Gracie Sr. The beginnings of what we know today as MMA began in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil as Vale Tudo. Unlike MMA of today most Vale Tudo matches had no rules, no time limits, no gloves, and were no holds barred. The matches were extremely dangerous and it was not uncommon for fighters to get seriously hurt. At the age of 18, and as only a Blue Belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Rinaldo Santos had his first closed door Vale Tudo fight against a older and more experienced street fighter named Carlos Henrique aka Bigu Branco. This fight was even bigger than the fighters because it was ultimately a match up between BJJ and Luta Livre, which were the two leading fighting styles in Rio de Janeiro at the time. Professor Rinaldos interview talks about the fight, the gym where it was held, and some of famous MMA personalities who were there to coach and witness the 50 minute fight, like Carlson Gracie Sr., Luiz Carlos Dias (Manimal) , Amau