Outside Source
Conor McGregor and Khabib Nurmagomedov provide perhaps the best example of a visceral rivalry in mixed martial arts where the animosity between the two individuals involved runs so hot that they cannot even be in the same physical space with each other. Renzo Gracie and Wallid Ismail hold that distinction in Brazilian jiu-jitsu. Their rivalry has lasted for three decades.
However, the situation appears to have changed, at least from Ismail’s standpoint. He now views his rivalry with Gracie as a thing of the past, choosing instead to focus on the viewership Jungle Fight 141 “Fight of the Million” reportedly drew to Rede Globo on Oct. 25.
“I’m so happy with the success and record [Jungle Fight] audience on Rede Globo that I’m starting to worry about myself,” he told Sherdog.com. “I’m even starting to like Renzo.”
Ratings were through the proverbial roof.
“We hit eight points, 27 million homes, more than 100 million Brazilians—numbers that MMA has never reached in Brazil—thanks to this partnership with Rede Globo,” Ismail said. “To give you an idea, the UFC reaches one point. Obviously, the UFC is huge worldwide, but here in Brazil with Globo, our audience is up to eight times larger.”
Leidiane Fernandes and Marcelo Medeiros, the winners of the “Fight of the Million” women’s flyweight and men’s lightweight grands prix, were awarded half a million reais each, or roughly $94,000. Rede Globo has already decided it will return for the “Fight of the Million” in 2026.
“Globo is extremely satisfied,” Ismail said. “They had almost a 40% increase in viewership during that time slot. We’ve already decided that in 2026 we will add the male welterweight tournament and female strawweight [tournament]. Now, I’m fighting to try and add two more categories, obviously paying the same half a million reais for each.”
Ismail—who manages Natalia Silva, Stephanie Luciano and Amanda Lemos, among others—plans to put more of an emphasis on those athletes who do not reach the Ultimate Fighting Championship.
“I have an excellent relationship with the UFC,” he said. “Obviously, it would be wonderful if all my athletes made it there, but the reality is that only 0.3% of athletes who fight in Jungle Fight reach the biggest event in the world. My focus now is on improving the conditions for these athletes who will continue fighting in Brazil, paying them better and giving them more job opportunities.”
This article first appeared at Recent News on Sherdog.com
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