Life can change at any moment, and many fighters are aware of this. As if combat sports aren’t grueling enough, some of the toughest battles are fought outside the ring or cage in the form of lifelong chronic diseases. For the legendary Rickson Gracie, his life changed drastically when he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2021. Yes, the same disease that afflicted Muhammad Ali in his later years.
Gracie recently talked about his new book Comfort in Darkness in an interview with MMA Fighting. He discussed his life after the diagnosis that led to his spiritual awakening because of it. A snippet of what he said was posted by MMA Fighting on X and this can inspire many who are going through the same predicament.
He said, “Parkinson’s disease has opened a spiritual side in me. A mental side that is very positive and that’s the maximum expression of continuity in Jiu Jitsu and martial arts. I remade myself. I was reborn from the ashes. I feel like a sick person today but happy to be able to continue passing along the vision.”
He also mentioned that giving up is not an option and we must keep fighting through adversities. He has faced some of life’s toughest battles like losing his oldest son Rockson Gracie, who tragically passed away as a young man in the 90s, due to addiction. And, now with his latest affliction, he started studying to understand the challenges he’s faced since being diagnosed. Even though he had to struggle due to the disease he is still grateful for what he learned in the process.
He is another legend, often considered the greatest practitioner in his realm, apart from Muhammad Ali, who suffers from Parkinson’s disease. Let’s see what how the late legend struggled with the famed condition.
Throwback – Muhammad Ali’s battle with Parkinson’s
Muhammad Ali will always be remembered as one of the greatest athletes in the sport of boxing. He was not just a distinguished fighter but a person with numerous talents that gained him the nickname of ‘The Greatest’. Unfortunately, we lost him in 2016 when he was 74. Known by the name Cassius Clay at birth, he had a legendary boxing career and retired from the sport in 1981 with a record of 56-5-0.
He was a polarising figure who was outspoken both inside and outside the ring. Even as his health deteriorated, Muhammad Ali didn’t back down with his opinions regarding politics and social issues. He was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 1984 and suffered due to the disease till his passing in 2016.
Many years after Ali’s death, his eldest daughter Maryum cleared some doubts about her father’s disease and said, “I was so little, I remember seeing a difference in his speech when he fought Leon Spinks the second time. A lot wasn’t known about Parkinson’s back then, as it is now. We have great research now. People know what it is. Great therapies. But back then he was kind of lost and was told he had Parkinson’s syndrome and then it wouldn’t progress… but it did.”
He passed away at the age of seventy-four and, for roughly 30 years, he battled against arguably his most dangerous opponent. There is general speculation that the GOAT did not say any final words before his passing, but Ali’s close pal Mancini said otherwise. Muhammad Ali’s friend recollected the moment long before the boxer passed away when he had heard some last words from the boxer. Ali whispered, “Stay pretty” into Mancini’s ear after embracing him. Did you find this inspiring in any way? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
-1734161655-q80.webp "Browns Could Be Missing Multiple Offensive Weapon Against Chiefs")
-1736235642-q80.webp "Kansas City Chiefs Send 6-Word Message Before Playoffs")
