WITH ROMULO BARRAL
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SFR: How did you hook up with Alberto Crane's jiu-jitsu academy in Santa Fe? It's not every day Santa Fe gets to host a four-time world-champion jiu-jitsu fighter!
RB:
Alberto actually started training in Brazil. He came to my city to train with my teacher. And I heard all these people talk about him because he's this American guy, but he's very good. Over the years, we became friends. One time when he was down in Brazil, he asked me if I wanted to come to the United States to train and teach at his academy. I was scared! I'd come to the United States before, but just to fight, not to live. I have my life in Brazil, but I decided to come anyway. Last year was the first year I came. Now, I usually stay three months in Santa Fe and then go back to Brazil. And then I come back to the United States.
How did you first start fighting and competing in jiu-jitsu?
I started when I was 16 [Barral is now 23]. I've been fighting in taekwondo since I was 8. I used to compete a lot. But I always wanted to learn how to fight on the ground, too, so I started to train in jiu-jitsu.
When did you realize that this particular sport was something you were really good at, something that would eventually take you all over the world fighting and be your primary source of income?
When I won my first fight. And then I won my second. And then I won my third. And then I won a belt. After a while, I didn't lose. And it became my life.
Why is jiu-jitsu such a big sport in Brazil, being that it's originally from Japan?
The Gracie family, from Brazil, introduced the world to jiu-jitsu. The Japanese showed them the sport-five members of the family-and the Gracies brought it back to Brazil and the United States, where they set up their academies. I know all those guys. They're very good trainers and teachers. In Brazil, you see a training academy on every corner. There's too much competition. But in the United States, you can make good money.
I imagine fighting and teaching in Santa Fe is a lot different than Brazil?
You know, the first time I came, I thought it was going to be really hard and that I would lose all of my training routine. But I came here, I saw the city, the academy, and I thought that this place was so good for my training. I can focus and the altitude helps my endurance. And I was surprised at the interest in jiu-jitsu in Santa Fe, with the number of people who train at the academy.
Aside from a rigorous training routine and teaching, what do you do for fun while you're here?
Nothing, man! Because I'm here actually fighting professionally too, I end up traveling almost every weekend. I've gone to Phoenix, New Jersey, Santa Cruz, Houston, all to fight. When I'm here, I like to hang out with my friends. Just stay in the house and watch television. I've gone to the bars maybe two times.
Have you ever had to use your jiu-jitsu in a real fight?
Never. Since I've become professional, never. If I were attacked, I would use it. But I wouldn't want to fight just one guy in the street. It wouldn't be fair. But I hope to never have to use it. It's not good for my spirit.
I saw a video recently of one of your fights, and you ended up popping your opponent's knee out. Do you have to make yourself get angry with the person you're fighting?
No. Sometimes I might get angry and lose control. But if that happens, I'll lose my position. You have to always stay focused on the fight. The fight you're talking about, it was just four minutes. He was a very, very good wrestler. He took me down with two minutes down and he just held me. He was ahead on points. And this time I got a little bit angry. I never give up. That's my principal. With 30 seconds left, I try and try and try, and I pull hard on his knee. And I pull and his knee starts popping. I could see the ligaments. I didn't want to hurt him though. I never want to hurt my opponent. Because we're all doing the same sport, and it would mean he would have to stop training. And that's bad.
When my friends and I were younger, we used to wonder who would win in a fight: jiu-jitsu legend Royce Gracie or Mike Tyson. Now that you're a world champion, could you beat Mike Tyson in a fight?
Mike Tyson can't beat me. He never could beat me. I could fight him 10 times, and I'd beat him 10 times. I just would step back and step back and wait and then take him down, and that's it, he would be down. It would be too hard for him and too easy for me. He's a boxer, so he doesn't have the training in jiu-jitsu and taekwondo.
What about one punch from Mike Tyson?
Yes, you're right. One punch from Mike Tyson and that would be too bad for me!
I'm about your height, your weight. How quickly could you take me down?
I could do it fast.
Do you ever get scared when you fight; scared you're going to get really badly hurt?
Nervous. I get nervous. Before my fights, I feel nervous. But as soon I touch the gi, that feeling is finished. I feel very, very good.
