Renzo Gracie Helped Prepare Garry Tonon for Seminal Bout in ONE Championship

‘I’m here to guide and help people be better.’

Welcome to The Weekly Takedown, Sports Illustrated’s in-depth look at MMA. Every week, this column offers insight and information on the most noteworthy stories in the fight world.

The next title contender in ONE Championship’s MMA featherweight division will be decided Friday night, as Garry Tonon competes against Shamil Gasanov.

Taking place at Bangkok’s famed Lumpinee Boxing Stadium, ONE Fight Night 12: Superlek vs. Khalilov airs on Amazon Prime Video. It will feature a breakthrough moment for either Tonon or the undefeated Gasanov, the latest fighter from Dagestan to cut through the competition like a buzzsaw.

Following a dominant victory last October in his ONE debut, Gasanov (13–0) called out Tonon, a revered submission specialist. He followed that up by stating, “If he thinks he can break off my leg, I can rip his head off and mail it back to the States after the fight.”

Tonon (7–1) is a BJJ icon, and he is now pursuing gold in ONE. He also has a secret weapon, having trained under the legendary Renzo Gracie.

The famed Gracie is jiujitsu royalty. He is the son of Grandmaster Robson Gracie, a ninth-degree BJJ black belt, and the grandson of Gracie Jiu-Jitsu founder Carlos Gracie. A key figure in his life was Rolls Gracie, who is heralded as the father of modern jiujitsu.

“My life is this sport,” says Renzo Gracie. “I began training at 5. My first competition was at 7. Even before that, when I’d play with my father, he was showing me how to put the hooks and how to control the opponent and how to defend. I’ve been doing this my whole life. I was very fortunate to have access to these amazing teachers.

“I had many great teachers. I had the unique opportunity to access from every generation in my family. Now I’m here to guide and help people be better.”

A warrior embracing any challenge, Gracie expects the same from those who train with him. He runs the world-renowned Renzo Gracie Academy in New York City, and he was honored to serve as a positive influence for Tonon.

“The greatest gift martial arts ever gave me is to give it to others,” says Gracie. “I’ve had the chance to help train Garry, and he is ready for this moment against Shamil.

“It’s going to be a unique gift for us to watch. This is going to be an amazing battle. I’d advise everyone not to blink. It’s going to be incredible.”

This bout will determine the top grappler in ONE’s featherweight mixed martial arts ranks, and perhaps even in the world. Tonon is a decorated submission virtuoso, but he has a unique challenge opposing him. Even for someone of his elite ability, attempting to control and submit Gasanov will be a genuine test.

“It’s going to be decided by jiujitsu,” says Gracie. “That’s what I see winning the fight: amazing groundwork. Who will put everything on the line to test themself? I honestly believe the only loser here in this fight is the one who doesn’t learn from it. So I think they will both come out of this as winners.”

In addition to determining the top of the featherweight division, this bout is a testament to ONE CEO Chatri Sityodtong’s commitment toward building the best grappling division in the world.

“Every grappler in the world should be watching,” says Gracie. “It’s something you don’t want to miss. This is going to be one of the best spectacles of the year. I can’t wait to watch.”

Francis Ngannou and Tyson Fury fight is all about the money

If you haven’t read Kevin Iole’s piece on Francis Ngannou’s impending boxing debut, I highly recommend it.

A tried-and-true boxing fan, Iole laments Ngannou’s decision to make his boxing debut against Tyson Fury. This isn’t a chance to advance the sport. Clearly, it is a money grab for everyone involved.

Fury championed this bout as “a fight for the ages.” But it’s really more about wages. Both are deserving of a high payday, and there will certainly be an interest to see how Ngannou performs in a high-level boxing bout. But that’s all this is.

If done right—see Conor McGregor–Floyd Mayweather from 2017—it can still be a success. Mayweather won that bout in the 10th round, a finish that gave the paying audience a fair share in return for an expensive pay-per-view. Somehow, McGregor landed more punches against Mayweather (111) than Manny Pacquiao did in a 12-round bout two years before. McGregor appeared to be protected in that bout; will that also be the case for Ngannou?

Notable about the McGregor-Mayweather bout was what was missing, which were body shots. Looking back, it is still hard to comprehend. Mayweather, who is one of the greatest to ever step in a ring, did not show off his exemplary footwork, instead largely remaining stationary in the pocket. Take from that what you will.

At the very least, McGregor and Mayweather were honest—their fight was billed the “Money Fight.” We’ll see whether the same will be said for Ngannou and Fury.

Justin Barrasso can be reached at JBarrasso@gmail.com. Follow him on Twitter @JustinBarrasso.