quote:

Sakuraba’s next opponent would be the undefeated god of cage fighting, the pioneer, the Adam of MMA, Royce Gracie.

The promo Pride cut for Royce vs Sakuraba was priceless. It showed the Grandmaster, Helio Gracie, sitting in a chair, in a business suit, watching Royler lose to Sakuraba, Helio’s expression was stoic and emotionless. Then it cut to a view of a beach, presumably in Brazil, with the Grandmaster looking out in the distance. Far away one could see the figures of what appeared like three men jogging and, as it came into focus, you saw who the center man was: Royce Gracie! Having been away from the octagon for six years, the undefeated Royce Gracie was finally coming back to fight Sakuraba, to avenge the family honor. Like an ancient Near Eastern god, choosing a champion in the divine council, the montage conveyed a feeling that Royce was chosen by the wise Grandmaster, to defend Mt. Olympus.