The duo has rented a spot in downtown Houston, where Duarte will be the head instructor. It’s one of 12 gyms owned by Gracie. The new partners spent six days together last week.
Renzo and Hugo were on opposite sides in three highly significant clashes of the Brazilian jiu-jitsu vs. Luta Livre rivalry. Renzo stood with the Gracie side in the conflicts between Hugo and Rickson: one at Pepê Beach, Barra da Tijuca, Rio de Janeiro, and another one a week later when Hugo sought a rematch and gathered over 50 students to invade the Gracie academy. At Pentagon Combat in 1997, Renzo faced Eugênio Tadeu and Hugo was in the Luta Livre representative’s corner.
After many, many years of rivalry, a friendship emerged from this war between representatives of Luta Livre and Brazilian jiu-jitsu, when they met at the ceremony for the Brazilian sidewalk Hall of Fame in 2019, where both received honors. One year later Hugo went to a Renzo’s biography book autograph session and the friendship was sealed.
Known as the general of Luta Livre for his leadership ahead of the style, Hugo and most top Luta Livre practitioners have always been recognized for their excellent heel hook, footlock and leglock attacks since 80s and 90s. Today, with the evolution of grappling in U.S. and the consecration of"I'm shocked.here is like a religion. People wear his shirt on the streets. The world turns around, a rival turned into a great friend,” Hugo said. “Renzo is such a unique person.