The city of Rio de Janeiro has produced some of the most iconic fighters and key moments in the history of jiu-jitsu and MMA – once known as Vale Tudo in Brazil – and finally has a place to pay homage to names from the past and present.
Conceptualized by city councilor and jiu-jitsu black belt Marcelo Arar, “City of Martial Arts” was inaugurated on Wednesday with 12 squares and a walk of fame. The squares were named after martial arts legends such as Jigoro Kano, Mitsuyo Maeda and the Gracie family.
The walk of fame will include 60 plates, each one as a tribute to a former and current martial artists: Anderson Silva; Amanda Nunes; Deiveson Figueiredo; and 11 members of the Gracie family.