UFC commentator Joe Rogan is friends with Brazilian jiu-jitsu practitioner Eddie Bravo. Joe recently shared some of the backstories of their friendship, and he felt a little sad while reminiscing those memories.
Joe and Eddie were both attempting to find their place in the world in 2003. Joe recalls how Eddie had the greatest fight of his life when he was attempting to settle UFC as a gig. Joe himself holds black belts in both taekwondo and jiujitsu. When he remembered Eddie’s fight in Abu Dhabi World Championships for jiujitsu, he became nostalgic because what his friend did at the time was unfathomable.
“I was in Brazil in 2003 for the Abu Dhabi world championships. Eddie Bravo was over there competing. That was the year he tapped out Royler Gracie. It was the craziest upset ever. It was insane. In Brazil!” Joe said.
“Royler, who was Royce’s brother, who was more successful even than Royce in jiu-jitsu tournaments. He’s one of the greatest Gracies of all time in terms of his accomplishments in winning world jiu-jitsu tournaments. He was the man. [Eddie got him with a] triangle off his back. It was amazing.” Rogan added in his podcast.
Eddie did something unbelievable that day in Abu Dhabi, according to Joe. No one expected Eddie to win, but he did. Rogan remembers that day fondly since that single submission impacted both of their lives forever. Rogan went on to become one of the most well-known UFC commentators of all time.
“Royler, who was Royce’s brother, who was more successful even than Royce in jiu-jitsu tournaments. He’s one of the greatest Gracies of all time in terms of his accomplishments in winning world jiu-jitsu tournaments. He was the man. [Eddie got him with a] triangle off his back. It was amazing.” Rogan added.
Joe watched Eddie’s battle to relive it on his podcast The Joe Rogan Experience. Rogan became tearful while watching that video. He had to wipe away his tears as he recalled that day.
“[Eddie] has crazy flexibility and leg dexterity. It’s very surprising.So, if you’re in his guard, you’re f*****, and Royler didn’t know it. He was in Eddie’s guard and Eddie just slapped that triangle on him and then started pulling the head and Royler tapped and it was insane. I was crying. Dude. I’ll cry right now. Woo.” Rogan said while watching the old clip.
