Rayron Gracie/YouTube
BJJ legend Ralph Gracie reportedly flees to Brazil after being indicted over assault on Ricardo Almeida’s brother Flavio.
According to Patch.com 5th degree BJJ black-belt Ralph Gracie, son of Robson Gracie and brother to Renzo Gracie, was indicted by an Orange County grand jury in California last week over an alleged assault involving five-time BJJ world champion Flavio Almeida.
That outlet reported that the 39-year-old Gracie was indicted on one count of felony assault with an enhancement for inflicting great bodily injury. Prosecutor’s in Orange County say the charges stem from an attack that occurred on December 15th, 2018 at the World IBJJF No-Gi Championships in Anaheim, CA.
In an arraignment on September 27th, after the indictment, Gracie pleaded not guilty to the charge (per MMA Fighting). This was Gracie’s second court appearance in connection with this incident. An earlier no-show triggered the indictment and allegations from the prosecution that Gracie had fled to Brazil.
The assault on Almeida was captured by video at the World IBJJF event. In that video an individual purported to be Ralph Gracie is shown seemingly striking Flavio Almeida. The video shows at least one strike landing on Almeida’s jaw, causing him to fall out of view of the camera.
After the incident UFC veteran Ricardo Almeida posted about the attack on Instagram.
“As you know, while coaching at the World No-Gi championships, Flavio was viciously attacked,” wrote Almeida. “The attack was completely by surprise, was unprovoked and did not allow Flavio a chance to protect himself. It was clear that the attack was meant to hurt Flavio personally, and also to intimidate Gracie Barra.”
Orange County prosecutors have stated that Almeida was knocked unconscious in the attack and that Gracie continued to kick Almeida in the face when he was on the ground. Prosecutors state that Gracie’s student Lincoln Jeferson Pereira also joined in on the attack, striking Almeida while he was unconscious. Almeida reportedly suffered a concussion and lost two teeth as a result of the assault.
Pereira was charged with felony assault, but plead guilty to a lesser charge in July. He was sentenced to 80 days time-served.