March 6, 1995Gracie Jiu-Jitsu (R)Dear Mr. Wallenwein:In regards to your letter of March 3, 1995, in behalf of Mr. EminBoztepe, please note the following points:1. The promoter of the UFC, made a professional and courteousinvitation to famous martial artists to satisfy the requestsof hundreds of fans all over the world, demanding such aninvitation.2. I can not control what fans write in the Internet, but I mustinform you that I do not support Mr. Boztepe being called a"chicken".3. I didn't find Mr. Boztepe's suggestion of using Benny Urquidez's or Gene Labelle's schools as a neutral ground, tobe neutral. I thought the Police Academy would truly be "neutral ground", because Benny Urquidez, Gene Labelle, alongwith many other popular martial artists, have met there manytimes.4. As far as scheduling something at the Police Academy you mustunderstand that I do not have final say in the availability of their gym. Therefore, when I was informed of the possibleopening, I immediately passed on the information to Mr. Boztepewho replied "I need more time."Now for the good news. I have obtained clearance for this demonstrationto take place at the Los Angeles Police Academy, on March 9th, 10th,or 13th at 8:00pm at their gym. The address is: 1880 N Academy Dr.,Los Angeles, CA. Please choose one of these dates and reply to me byfax immediately (310)782-1310.Your requests for the conditions of the demonstration: waivers, videotaping/promotion, are all agreed upon.Please understand that Royce Gracie, "The Ultimate Fighter", ismaking an unusual exception in your case, as he does not participatein demonstrations outside of the UFC.Let's make sure that Mr. Boztepe does not pass up this opportunity.Otherwise, the fans may think he was using the "gossip" on theInternet and various other magazines, as a publicity stunt. If youare concerned with them calling him "chicken" now, imagine what theywill call him if he does not show up at all....Again, please fax me back immediately with the date you have chosen.Cordially,Rorion Gracie-----------------------------------------------------------------March 6, 1995Alexander R. WallenweinAttorney At LawDear Mr. Gracie:I am pleased to see that you are so willing to have your littlebrother Royce defend your family's honor. As you know, Mr.Boztepe has always preferred to fight you, personally, but Roycewill be an acceptable alternative.As to the fight location, the Police Academy is unacceptablebecause in the State of California fights in the nature of thechallenge match between Royce and Mr. Boztepe - full contact, norules, no referees, no time limits - are against the law. TheL.A. Police Department is sworn to uphold the law. They will nottolerate such a fight without intervening when it begins to getinteresting. Whether Benny Urquidez and Gene LaBelle have metthere on occasion or not has nothing to do with the neutralityor lack thereof of this fight location.Your response does not comply with the conditions given in ourlast letter to you. Mr. Boztepe will only fight at one of thethree magazine gyms listed there: Martial Arts Gazette, InsideKung Fu, or Black Belt Magazine, UNLESS the Los Angeles Chief ofPolice or the Chief of the Police Academy gives a written guarantee,on his personal stationary and signed by him, that such fights are(a) legal in California, (b) that no law enforcement personnelwill intervene in the fight in any way until it is over, and (c) that after the fight none of the participants or their promoters/representatives will be charged with violating any laws.That written guarantee should be faxed by the author directly tomy office.If you can provide such a written guarantee, Mr. Boztepe will behappy to choose one of the dates provided in your letter datedMarch 6, 1995. If not, it is up to you to still comply with theconditions set out in our letter of March 1, 1995. I must make one final but crucial point: In your letter of thisdate you call the fight a "demonstration". Please note once andfor all that this is not intended to be a "demonstration." Itis intended to be a no rules,no holds barred fight. One fighterwins when the other indicates his submission by tapping out orthrowing the towel. Are the fights in the UFC also just"demonstrations?"Please clearly state your position regarding this issue or definewhat precisely you mean by that word, today, by fax. In Mr.Boztepe and the martial art public's mind a "demonstration" isequivalent to a "show." Please understand that this is NOT goingto be a "show." If you and your brother have any differentperception of the nature of the upcoming fight, please let usknow now. Otherwise, your brother might accidently be seriouslyinjured without his actual consent. You must be very clear aboutthis.Very truly yours,Alexander R. Wallenwein-----------------------------------------------------------------March 6, 1995Gracie Jiu-Jitsu (R)Dear Mr. Wallenwein:In response to your fax of March 6, 1995, what would make thisfight "legal" if we did it at Martial Arts Gazette, Inside Kung Fu,or Black Belt Magazine? They are all located in the State ofCalifornia. Wouldn't you be legally concerned about this as well?This is why the UFC was developed and it takes place in otherstates, so there will be no legal impediments.I agree to have Royce face Mr. Boztepe, if you have any publisherof one of the above publications, fax to me, a confirmation ofthe following: a) that such fights are legal in California; b) no law enforcement personnel will intervene with the fightuntil it is over; and c) that after the fight none of theparticipants or promoters will be charged with violating anylaws.Furthermore, they must also agree to allow only 5 people fromeach camp to enter their facility - other than the press.Cordially,Rorion Gracie----------------------------------------------------------------- THE ULTIMATE FIGHTERThe Highs and Lows of Winning, by Royce GracieThe Ultimate Fighting Championship has given me a great platform for demonstrating what my family has believed in for over 65 years: That the techniques of Gracie Jiu-Jitsu(R) prepare the best fighters in the world. Winning at the UFC has made what we do very popular, and the results are that I am getting a lot of attention, and our Academy is growing like crazy. The publicity surrounding the UFC is very controversial, and I receive many requests from the media for interviews. I like to fight and I like the rewards, both emotional and financial.The only down side to being The Ultimate Fighting Champion is the clowns I must deal with who claim to challenge me or the Gracie Family, and who hide behind the publicity stunt of a challenge with no intention of meeting me in the octagon. They use the tactics of a challenge in an attempt to discredit the integrity of my victories, and support their weak claims of fighting superiority. They then have the audacity to explain why they do not want or need to fight in the UFC. I heard that there were over 400 applications for UFC IV, and many fighters make no bones about who they are after - me! We also receive many direct requests at the Academy from fighters who want to challenge me, and who feel they deserve special treatment over all of the other fighters in the UFC, because they are who they think they are. The final insult comes when we bend over backwards to accommodate a challenger, who then badgers us with excuses and the fight never happens.The most recent example is Emin Boztepe. First came his challenge, then he told everyone why he does not need to fight in the UFC, finally all the reasons why a scheduled fight outside the UFC will never take place. All the while boasting of his alleged fighting superiority.In Boztepe's original challenge letter he made two requests. First, that he fight only a Gracie. Second, that the winner takes all the money (Boztepe said he would donate his to charity). Boztepe was offered a special fight with me in UFC V by Art Davie. With this offer all the conditions of Boztepe's challenge were met, but Boztepe then said that he would not compete at the UFC. My brother Rorion, then went to the effort of setting up a special match at a neutral location, the Police Academy in Los Angeles. Boztepe then said the fight was illegal in California, and he would not compete at the Police Academy because my brother is a "member" and therefore it is not neutral ground. For the record, the Police Academy is not a health club and does not have "members". Rorion sits on a civilian panel that assists the Police Academy with its self defense training. So does Benny Urquidez and Gene LeBell, whose honor Boztepe is supposedly defending. Just in case this new excuse is not enough, Boztepe has his lawyer send a list of guarantees that must be met before the fight is scheduled. Boztepe then suggested an alternative location, and when my brother requested the same guarantees as requested by Boztepe's lawyers, they accused me of not wanting to fight.I sometimes feel like the lion tamer at a circus dealing with real lions who have the courage to step into the octagon. I regard individuals like Boztepe as the clowns who entertain the audience between performances. Boztepe has an open invitation, and a guaranteed place at any UFC, yet he cannot bring himself to enter. He requests a private match, then assigns his lawyer the task of making sure it never happens.I can only conclude that Boztepe was never serious about fighting a Gracie in the first place.This latest example of a publicity stunt by Boztepe is the final reason why we will no longer take challenges outside the UFC. I respect the fighters who have the courage to step into the octagon. The reason the Ultimate Fighting Championship was developed was to eliminate legal impediments to staging a real life no-holds-barred fight. Anyone who wants to fight only the Gracies, please respect the other fighters who have the guts to compete in the UFC. This is how to get to Royce Gracie.-----------------------------------------------------------------April 3, 1995My original challenge letter was addressed to the Gracie family because Rorion promotes himself as the head of the Gracie family, and it appeared that his actions were representative of the entire family. It has since become quite clear that the entire problem is with Rorion Gracie (and his partner, Art Davie). It is widely known now that even Rorion's associates and members of his own family have trouble with him because of some of his attitudes. In light of this, I would like to make it quite clear that I have no problem with any member of the Gracie family other than Rorion Gracie. I have made it quite clear directly to Rorion that it is him whom I wish to fight. So far he will not respond to this, and insists that I fight his little brother Royce. I have nothing against Royce, but will fight him if he insists on being his brother's puppet in this matter. Rorion now is even trying to drag other members of his family in to fight his battles for him - battles he won't fight himself.I would also like to make it clear exactly what has been said and done. Art Davie, Rorion Gracie's partner in WOW Promotions which promotes the UFCs, called me and invited me to fight in the UFC. I explained that I only believe in fighting in self-defense, not for sport, but thanked him for the invitation. A week later, Gracie Jiu Jitsu students began posting messages on the Internet essentially calling me chicken for not competing in the UFC. Since information posted had only been discussed between myself and Art Davie, I immediately called Art, who denied saying such things about me and insisted that it was all a misunderstanding and that no ill will was intended. The GJJ students later publicly apologized on the Internet, but at least one GJJ student still keeps writing offensive and misleading - often false - messages.The damage was done. I did not realize at the time how powerfula medium the Internet is for quickly and widely spreading news, opinions, and even gossip. Over the next few months, false rumors that I refused a direct challenge from the Gracies quickly spread worldwide. And since the only one I had ever talked to was Art Davie, I knew that only Art and/or his partner Rorion could be the original source of these rumors. When the same exact thing was later done in the martial arts press to old, respected martial artists such as Gene LeBell, I knew that this was no simple misunderstanding, but rather a purposeful effort on the part of Rorion Gracie and Art Davie to promote Gracie Jiu-Jitsu and the UFCs by questioning the courage of famous and respected martial artists around the world and even damaging their reputations. Seeing beginning level Wing Chun people invited and placed in the UFCs and promoted as world-class representatives of their arts only served to strengthen my perception that Rorion Gracie (and his partner, Art Davie) were deliberately attacking other martial artists and their arts to build up Gracie Jiu-Jitsu and the UFCs and make a fortune in the process.At this point I decided to respond to the Gracies' long-standing openchallenge with a counter challenge. In my letter, I asked only that I fight only a Gracie, that the event be recorded/televised, and that the profits after expenses go to charity. Rorion's public reply offered me a slot in the UFC with no guarantee of fighting a Gracie.Art Davie wrote me a letter and later called, each time threatening tosue me if I did not publicly retract statements I made which comparedthe UFCs to professional wrestling. During the phone conversation, it was mentioned in passing that a possible special fight in the UFC directly with Royce Gracie might be offered me. Later, a letter was sent to Inside Kung Fu Magazine offering me the special bout. However, since neither Art Davie nor Rorion is willing to do this for charity, and since they are threatening to sue me and the UFC is their event, I will not meet them under these conditions. I do not feel like making those who would sue me any wealthier. Rorion later amended his offer to include an offer for me to come fight Royce at Rorion's school in Torrance.Since it was obvious that we could not come to terms for a fight atthe UFCs, and since walking directly into their school to fight themwould not be very wise, I countered with a request that the fight beon neutral ground, and suggested Benny Urquidez's Jet Center or GeneLeBell's gymnasium. Rorion refused to hold the fight at eitherlocation. About the same time, and without my prior knowledge,the Martial Arts Gazette called Rorion and confidentiallyoffered their gym for the challenge match. Rorion refused the offer.During a phone conversation on February 17th, Rorion told me thatI must fight one of their students first to prove myself worthy of fighting Royce! Or one of my students must fight one of theirs first. I told him this was ridiculous, and that I wanted to fight him, Rorion. Rorion replied, "No!!! You fight Royce!" I said, "Then I will fight you after I beat Royce," to which Rorion would not reply. Rorion, like his promoter, prefers sitting behind a desk in a nice suit and tie challenging and humiliating well-known and respected martial artists of any style because they both know that they will not fight anyway.Rorion was supposed to call back that night with a location and datefor the fight, but did not call back until Tuesday, February 21. Hethen offered to let me fight Royce at the Los Angeles Police Academy in only two days. I asked that it be held one week later because this was not enough notice to get the media and a professional video team there. So the fight was scheduled for March 2 with Royce at the LA Police Academy. Four or five days before the fight was to happen,Rorion Gracie called me and cancelled the fight, saying that the LA Police Academy Gym was unavailable for the fight on March 2 and that he would call back in a couple weeks when other arrangements couldbe made. After this cancellation by Rorion, both my attorney and friends of mine within the law enforcement community advised me not to fight at the LA Police Academy without a written guarantee that the police would neither interfere nor bring charges against anyone.Everyone knows that the police would not really allow a no rules,bareknuckle fight on their property! On March 3, my attorney sent a letter to Rorion Gracie summarizing the events thus far and suggesting that the fight be held on March 14, 1995, at the gym of the Martial Arts Gazette, or at Inside Kung Fu or Black Belt Magazine if Rorion preferred. He also said that if Rorion and his promoter apologized to those they had insulted through their media efforts no fight would be necessary and that this was actually the preferred solution. On March 6, 1995, Rorion Gracie responded with a letter which said:a) The promoter of the UFC had made a professional and courteous invitation to famous martial artists at the request of fans the world over; b) he cannot control what "fans" write on the Internet but that he doesn't support me being called chicken; c) he didn't think Urquidez's or LeBell's schools were neutral; and d) he doesn't have control of the LA Police Academy gym's schedule. He then said he had permission for the "demonstration" to be held on March 9, 10, or 13 and requested me to choose a date. He agreed to waivers and taping conditions. My attorney replied back by fax the same day saying thata fight at the Police Academy is unacceptable (because Police aresworn to uphold the law, and such a fight is allegedly illegal inCalifornia) unless the Chief of Police or Chief of the Academy provides a written guarantee that a) the fight is legal, b) the police won't intervene, and c) no charges will be filed against anyone. He also stated that without such a written guarantee Rorion was still expected to comply with the original conditions (a fight at the Martial Arts Gazette, Inside Kung Fu, or Black Belt Magazine). Most important, he questioned Rorion's use of the word "demonstration". Apparently, the Police were only told that the gym was to be used for a martial arts demonstration rather than a no rules, no referees, bareknuckle challenge fight.Rorion responded the same day with a fax in which he wonders whyI should be concerned about fighting an allegedly illegalfight on police property in front of police more than I would aboutfighting the same allegedly illegal fight at a magazine gymnasium(with no police present). He then states Royce will only fight atone of the above magazine's gyms if the chosen magazine will provide the same three written guarantees that my attorney asked of the police.I feel it should be obvious that doing a no rules, bareknucklechallenge fight on police property and in front of the police (whoare expecting a mere martial arts demonstration!) is far differentthan doing a fight in front of magazine publishers who have no legalpower, especially since both sides have agreed to sign waivers not to press any charges against the other.So this is where it currently stands: Rorion refuses to fight me himself. No matter what. Period. He also refuses to let the fight be done at Gene LeBell's gym or at Benny Urquidez's Jet Center. Rorion refused a direct, confidential, personal offer from the Martial Arts Gazette to have the fight there. He cancelled the March 2nd, 1995 fight that was originally agreed upon at the Los Angeles Police Academy and he refused to let Royce fight on March 14th, 1995 at the Martial Arts Gazette or Inside Kung Fu or Black Belt Magazine.At this point I find myself deeply surprised at Rorion Gracie's apparent lack of honor in this situation. But his statement in one letter that he does not support me "being called a 'chicken'" seems to indicate that he has some honor. Now if he would just say this about the others whom he or his associates have insulted, challenged, or humiliated, and apologize publicly, this whole mess would be done. Or he could just take off his suit and tie and come out from behind his desk and fight me himself.Emin BoztepeChief Instructor of the AWTO
Emin - Gracie - Archivio Lettere Part. 2
March 6, 1995Gracie Jiu-Jitsu (R)Dear Mr. Wallenwein:In regards to your letter of March 3, 1995, in behalf of Mr. EminBoztepe, please note the following points:1. The promoter of the UFC, made a professional and courteousinvitation to famous martial artists to satisfy the requestsof hundreds of fans all over the world, demanding such aninvitation.2. I can not control what fans write in the Internet, but I mustinform you that I do not support Mr. Boztepe being called a"chicken".3. I didn't find Mr. Boztepe's suggestion of using Benny Urquidez's or Gene Labelle's schools as a neutral ground, tobe neutral. I thought the Police Academy would truly be "neutral ground", because Benny Urquidez, Gene Labelle, alongwith many other popular martial artists, have met there manytimes.4. As far as scheduling something at the Police Academy you mustunderstand that I do not have final say in the availability of their gym. Therefore, when I was informed of the possibleopening, I immediately passed on the information to Mr. Boztepewho replied "I need more time."Now for the good news. I have obtained clearance for this demonstrationto take place at the Los Angeles Police Academy, on March 9th, 10th,or 13th at 8:00pm at their gym. The address is: 1880 N Academy Dr.,Los Angeles, CA. Please choose one of these dates and reply to me byfax immediately (310)782-1310.Your requests for the conditions of the demonstration: waivers, videotaping/promotion, are all agreed upon.Please understand that Royce Gracie, "The Ultimate Fighter", ismaking an unusual exception in your case, as he does not participatein demonstrations outside of the UFC.Let's make sure that Mr. Boztepe does not pass up this opportunity.Otherwise, the fans may think he was using the "gossip" on theInternet and various other magazines, as a publicity stunt. If youare concerned with them calling him "chicken" now, imagine what theywill call him if he does not show up at all....Again, please fax me back immediately with the date you have chosen.Cordially,Rorion Gracie-----------------------------------------------------------------March 6, 1995Alexander R. WallenweinAttorney At LawDear Mr. Gracie:I am pleased to see that you are so willing to have your littlebrother Royce defend your family's honor. As you know, Mr.Boztepe has always preferred to fight you, personally, but Roycewill be an acceptable alternative.As to the fight location, the Police Academy is unacceptablebecause in the State of California fights in the nature of thechallenge match between Royce and Mr. Boztepe - full contact, norules, no referees, no time limits - are against the law. TheL.A. Police Department is sworn to uphold the law. They will nottolerate such a fight without intervening when it begins to getinteresting. Whether Benny Urquidez and Gene LaBelle have metthere on occasion or not has nothing to do with the neutralityor lack thereof of this fight location.Your response does not comply with the conditions given in ourlast letter to you. Mr. Boztepe will only fight at one of thethree magazine gyms listed there: Martial Arts Gazette, InsideKung Fu, or Black Belt Magazine, UNLESS the Los Angeles Chief ofPolice or the Chief of the Police Academy gives a written guarantee,on his personal stationary and signed by him, that such fights are(a) legal in California, (b) that no law enforcement personnelwill intervene in the fight in any way until it is over, and (c) that after the fight none of the participants or their promoters/representatives will be charged with violating any laws.That written guarantee should be faxed by the author directly tomy office.If you can provide such a written guarantee, Mr. Boztepe will behappy to choose one of the dates provided in your letter datedMarch 6, 1995. If not, it is up to you to still comply with theconditions set out in our letter of March 1, 1995. I must make one final but crucial point: In your letter of thisdate you call the fight a "demonstration". Please note once andfor all that this is not intended to be a "demonstration." Itis intended to be a no rules,no holds barred fight. One fighterwins when the other indicates his submission by tapping out orthrowing the towel. Are the fights in the UFC also just"demonstrations?"Please clearly state your position regarding this issue or definewhat precisely you mean by that word, today, by fax. In Mr.Boztepe and the martial art public's mind a "demonstration" isequivalent to a "show." Please understand that this is NOT goingto be a "show." If you and your brother have any differentperception of the nature of the upcoming fight, please let usknow now. Otherwise, your brother might accidently be seriouslyinjured without his actual consent. You must be very clear aboutthis.Very truly yours,Alexander R. Wallenwein-----------------------------------------------------------------March 6, 1995Gracie Jiu-Jitsu (R)Dear Mr. Wallenwein:In response to your fax of March 6, 1995, what would make thisfight "legal" if we did it at Martial Arts Gazette, Inside Kung Fu,or Black Belt Magazine? They are all located in the State ofCalifornia. Wouldn't you be legally concerned about this as well?This is why the UFC was developed and it takes place in otherstates, so there will be no legal impediments.I agree to have Royce face Mr. Boztepe, if you have any publisherof one of the above publications, fax to me, a confirmation ofthe following: a) that such fights are legal in California; b) no law enforcement personnel will intervene with the fightuntil it is over; and c) that after the fight none of theparticipants or promoters will be charged with violating anylaws.Furthermore, they must also agree to allow only 5 people fromeach camp to enter their facility - other than the press.Cordially,Rorion Gracie----------------------------------------------------------------- THE ULTIMATE FIGHTERThe Highs and Lows of Winning, by Royce GracieThe Ultimate Fighting Championship has given me a great platform for demonstrating what my family has believed in for over 65 years: That the techniques of Gracie Jiu-Jitsu(R) prepare the best fighters in the world. Winning at the UFC has made what we do very popular, and the results are that I am getting a lot of attention, and our Academy is growing like crazy. The publicity surrounding the UFC is very controversial, and I receive many requests from the media for interviews. I like to fight and I like the rewards, both emotional and financial.The only down side to being The Ultimate Fighting Champion is the clowns I must deal with who claim to challenge me or the Gracie Family, and who hide behind the publicity stunt of a challenge with no intention of meeting me in the octagon. They use the tactics of a challenge in an attempt to discredit the integrity of my victories, and support their weak claims of fighting superiority. They then have the audacity to explain why they do not want or need to fight in the UFC. I heard that there were over 400 applications for UFC IV, and many fighters make no bones about who they are after - me! We also receive many direct requests at the Academy from fighters who want to challenge me, and who feel they deserve special treatment over all of the other fighters in the UFC, because they are who they think they are. The final insult comes when we bend over backwards to accommodate a challenger, who then badgers us with excuses and the fight never happens.The most recent example is Emin Boztepe. First came his challenge, then he told everyone why he does not need to fight in the UFC, finally all the reasons why a scheduled fight outside the UFC will never take place. All the while boasting of his alleged fighting superiority.In Boztepe's original challenge letter he made two requests. First, that he fight only a Gracie. Second, that the winner takes all the money (Boztepe said he would donate his to charity). Boztepe was offered a special fight with me in UFC V by Art Davie. With this offer all the conditions of Boztepe's challenge were met, but Boztepe then said that he would not compete at the UFC. My brother Rorion, then went to the effort of setting up a special match at a neutral location, the Police Academy in Los Angeles. Boztepe then said the fight was illegal in California, and he would not compete at the Police Academy because my brother is a "member" and therefore it is not neutral ground. For the record, the Police Academy is not a health club and does not have "members". Rorion sits on a civilian panel that assists the Police Academy with its self defense training. So does Benny Urquidez and Gene LeBell, whose honor Boztepe is supposedly defending. Just in case this new excuse is not enough, Boztepe has his lawyer send a list of guarantees that must be met before the fight is scheduled. Boztepe then suggested an alternative location, and when my brother requested the same guarantees as requested by Boztepe's lawyers, they accused me of not wanting to fight.I sometimes feel like the lion tamer at a circus dealing with real lions who have the courage to step into the octagon. I regard individuals like Boztepe as the clowns who entertain the audience between performances. Boztepe has an open invitation, and a guaranteed place at any UFC, yet he cannot bring himself to enter. He requests a private match, then assigns his lawyer the task of making sure it never happens.I can only conclude that Boztepe was never serious about fighting a Gracie in the first place.This latest example of a publicity stunt by Boztepe is the final reason why we will no longer take challenges outside the UFC. I respect the fighters who have the courage to step into the octagon. The reason the Ultimate Fighting Championship was developed was to eliminate legal impediments to staging a real life no-holds-barred fight. Anyone who wants to fight only the Gracies, please respect the other fighters who have the guts to compete in the UFC. This is how to get to Royce Gracie.-----------------------------------------------------------------April 3, 1995My original challenge letter was addressed to the Gracie family because Rorion promotes himself as the head of the Gracie family, and it appeared that his actions were representative of the entire family. It has since become quite clear that the entire problem is with Rorion Gracie (and his partner, Art Davie). It is widely known now that even Rorion's associates and members of his own family have trouble with him because of some of his attitudes. In light of this, I would like to make it quite clear that I have no problem with any member of the Gracie family other than Rorion Gracie. I have made it quite clear directly to Rorion that it is him whom I wish to fight. So far he will not respond to this, and insists that I fight his little brother Royce. I have nothing against Royce, but will fight him if he insists on being his brother's puppet in this matter. Rorion now is even trying to drag other members of his family in to fight his battles for him - battles he won't fight himself.I would also like to make it clear exactly what has been said and done. Art Davie, Rorion Gracie's partner in WOW Promotions which promotes the UFCs, called me and invited me to fight in the UFC. I explained that I only believe in fighting in self-defense, not for sport, but thanked him for the invitation. A week later, Gracie Jiu Jitsu students began posting messages on the Internet essentially calling me chicken for not competing in the UFC. Since information posted had only been discussed between myself and Art Davie, I immediately called Art, who denied saying such things about me and insisted that it was all a misunderstanding and that no ill will was intended. The GJJ students later publicly apologized on the Internet, but at least one GJJ student still keeps writing offensive and misleading - often false - messages.The damage was done. I did not realize at the time how powerfula medium the Internet is for quickly and widely spreading news, opinions, and even gossip. Over the next few months, false rumors that I refused a direct challenge from the Gracies quickly spread worldwide. And since the only one I had ever talked to was Art Davie, I knew that only Art and/or his partner Rorion could be the original source of these rumors. When the same exact thing was later done in the martial arts press to old, respected martial artists such as Gene LeBell, I knew that this was no simple misunderstanding, but rather a purposeful effort on the part of Rorion Gracie and Art Davie to promote Gracie Jiu-Jitsu and the UFCs by questioning the courage of famous and respected martial artists around the world and even damaging their reputations. Seeing beginning level Wing Chun people invited and placed in the UFCs and promoted as world-class representatives of their arts only served to strengthen my perception that Rorion Gracie (and his partner, Art Davie) were deliberately attacking other martial artists and their arts to build up Gracie Jiu-Jitsu and the UFCs and make a fortune in the process.At this point I decided to respond to the Gracies' long-standing openchallenge with a counter challenge. In my letter, I asked only that I fight only a Gracie, that the event be recorded/televised, and that the profits after expenses go to charity. Rorion's public reply offered me a slot in the UFC with no guarantee of fighting a Gracie.Art Davie wrote me a letter and later called, each time threatening tosue me if I did not publicly retract statements I made which comparedthe UFCs to professional wrestling. During the phone conversation, it was mentioned in passing that a possible special fight in the UFC directly with Royce Gracie might be offered me. Later, a letter was sent to Inside Kung Fu Magazine offering me the special bout. However, since neither Art Davie nor Rorion is willing to do this for charity, and since they are threatening to sue me and the UFC is their event, I will not meet them under these conditions. I do not feel like making those who would sue me any wealthier. Rorion later amended his offer to include an offer for me to come fight Royce at Rorion's school in Torrance.Since it was obvious that we could not come to terms for a fight atthe UFCs, and since walking directly into their school to fight themwould not be very wise, I countered with a request that the fight beon neutral ground, and suggested Benny Urquidez's Jet Center or GeneLeBell's gymnasium. Rorion refused to hold the fight at eitherlocation. About the same time, and without my prior knowledge,the Martial Arts Gazette called Rorion and confidentiallyoffered their gym for the challenge match. Rorion refused the offer.During a phone conversation on February 17th, Rorion told me thatI must fight one of their students first to prove myself worthy of fighting Royce! Or one of my students must fight one of theirs first. I told him this was ridiculous, and that I wanted to fight him, Rorion. Rorion replied, "No!!! You fight Royce!" I said, "Then I will fight you after I beat Royce," to which Rorion would not reply. Rorion, like his promoter, prefers sitting behind a desk in a nice suit and tie challenging and humiliating well-known and respected martial artists of any style because they both know that they will not fight anyway.Rorion was supposed to call back that night with a location and datefor the fight, but did not call back until Tuesday, February 21. Hethen offered to let me fight Royce at the Los Angeles Police Academy in only two days. I asked that it be held one week later because this was not enough notice to get the media and a professional video team there. So the fight was scheduled for March 2 with Royce at the LA Police Academy. Four or five days before the fight was to happen,Rorion Gracie called me and cancelled the fight, saying that the LA Police Academy Gym was unavailable for the fight on March 2 and that he would call back in a couple weeks when other arrangements couldbe made. After this cancellation by Rorion, both my attorney and friends of mine within the law enforcement community advised me not to fight at the LA Police Academy without a written guarantee that the police would neither interfere nor bring charges against anyone.Everyone knows that the police would not really allow a no rules,bareknuckle fight on their property! On March 3, my attorney sent a letter to Rorion Gracie summarizing the events thus far and suggesting that the fight be held on March 14, 1995, at the gym of the Martial Arts Gazette, or at Inside Kung Fu or Black Belt Magazine if Rorion preferred. He also said that if Rorion and his promoter apologized to those they had insulted through their media efforts no fight would be necessary and that this was actually the preferred solution. On March 6, 1995, Rorion Gracie responded with a letter which said:a) The promoter of the UFC had made a professional and courteous invitation to famous martial artists at the request of fans the world over; b) he cannot control what "fans" write on the Internet but that he doesn't support me being called chicken; c) he didn't think Urquidez's or LeBell's schools were neutral; and d) he doesn't have control of the LA Police Academy gym's schedule. He then said he had permission for the "demonstration" to be held on March 9, 10, or 13 and requested me to choose a date. He agreed to waivers and taping conditions. My attorney replied back by fax the same day saying thata fight at the Police Academy is unacceptable (because Police aresworn to uphold the law, and such a fight is allegedly illegal inCalifornia) unless the Chief of Police or Chief of the Academy provides a written guarantee that a) the fight is legal, b) the police won't intervene, and c) no charges will be filed against anyone. He also stated that without such a written guarantee Rorion was still expected to comply with the original conditions (a fight at the Martial Arts Gazette, Inside Kung Fu, or Black Belt Magazine). Most important, he questioned Rorion's use of the word "demonstration". Apparently, the Police were only told that the gym was to be used for a martial arts demonstration rather than a no rules, no referees, bareknuckle challenge fight.Rorion responded the same day with a fax in which he wonders whyI should be concerned about fighting an allegedly illegalfight on police property in front of police more than I would aboutfighting the same allegedly illegal fight at a magazine gymnasium(with no police present). He then states Royce will only fight atone of the above magazine's gyms if the chosen magazine will provide the same three written guarantees that my attorney asked of the police.I feel it should be obvious that doing a no rules, bareknucklechallenge fight on police property and in front of the police (whoare expecting a mere martial arts demonstration!) is far differentthan doing a fight in front of magazine publishers who have no legalpower, especially since both sides have agreed to sign waivers not to press any charges against the other.So this is where it currently stands: Rorion refuses to fight me himself. No matter what. Period. He also refuses to let the fight be done at Gene LeBell's gym or at Benny Urquidez's Jet Center. Rorion refused a direct, confidential, personal offer from the Martial Arts Gazette to have the fight there. He cancelled the March 2nd, 1995 fight that was originally agreed upon at the Los Angeles Police Academy and he refused to let Royce fight on March 14th, 1995 at the Martial Arts Gazette or Inside Kung Fu or Black Belt Magazine.At this point I find myself deeply surprised at Rorion Gracie's apparent lack of honor in this situation. But his statement in one letter that he does not support me "being called a 'chicken'" seems to indicate that he has some honor. Now if he would just say this about the others whom he or his associates have insulted, challenged, or humiliated, and apologize publicly, this whole mess would be done. Or he could just take off his suit and tie and come out from behind his desk and fight me himself.Emin BoztepeChief Instructor of the AWTO