The Amazonian city of Belem, Brazil, is known for producing more than 90% of the country’s acai and for being where Carlos Gracie met Mitsuyo Maeda Koma, whose tomb remains there. The meeting sparked a revolution that led to the popularization of jiu-jitsu and the worldwide expansion of The Gentle Art through MMA.
Three decades ago, on Aug. 30, 1996, I was in the city for the first time to cover Freestyle de Belem 2. It’s worth noting that such events were scarce in Rio de Janeiro, where the mainstream media was waging a veritable crusade against vale tudo and jiu-jitsu.