Who would have won if Joe Louis (boxer) had fought Helio Gracie? Helio

J

Jon

New member
proposed the match, Louis said no.? Helio Gracie, the founder of Brazillian Jiujitsu, made the challenge to then heavyweight boxing champion, Joe Louis, to fight under Brazillian Vale Tudo rules. Joe Louis's people said no and turned him down.

But, what would have happend if they did fight under Vale Tudo rules? Bare knuckles, no time limits, with few rules, in a ring.

Joe Louis
6'2" 200 lbs.
65-3-0-1 (51)
Recognized as one of the greatest heavyweights ever (normally ranked in the top 5 on every experts list). One of the best pound for pound boxers ever.

vs.

Helio Gracie
5'4" 145 lbs.
10-2-7 10 Submission Wins - 0 KOs
Recognized as one of the great pioneers of MMA. Recognized as one of the best MMA fighters ever.
 
Interesting question. Either could have own if they could make their game work. The rules of vale tudo would give Gracie the advantage since Louis had no kicks or defense against kicks or takedowns. Gracie could keep Louis back with kicks, people forget there are some kicks in Gracie JJ. Once on the ground it's all Gracie.
That said if Louis could get close and strike and keep the fight up off the ground striking would make the difference.

But Louis would not be able to keep the fight off the ground. There are no time limits in vale tudo so sooner or later there will be a takedown, Gracie on Louis's back to a rear naked choke.

Why do you think Louis's people turned the fight down. It wasn't because of Gracies's size, it was because Louis had no defense against the ground game. You saw this in the Ali fight, when Ali fought a wrestle the rules were set up to favor standup and limiting the ground game.

So Gracie over Louis by rear naked choke.
 
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