Fighting for the better part of two decades now, the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu world champion black belt and MMA legend started when the sport of Vale Tudo (portugese for “anything goes”) literally lived up to its name as the precursor to modern Mixed Martial Arts, allowing everything from head butts to vicious stomps before the rulebooks of modern times were thought of as a possibility.
In fact, many of MMA’s modern-day luminaries would probably equate those times past as presenting something closer to gladiatorial barbarism than sporting contest – “the wild west, south of the equator,” as they would say about those good old days in Brazil. But for guys like Macaco and fighters like him in São Paulo and beyond, fighting Vale Tudo was just the way of life – when fighting was less about money and fame and more about pride and honor attained through spilling blood and coming out victorious.
“I have been fighting since I was 15,” Macaco says. “I started in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and have always competed. My first fights were Vale Tudo, which allows head butts, soccer kicks, and of course no gloves. I have fought in the UFC (versus Pat Miletich for the 170lbs belt), I have also fought in Pride (Japan), Cage Rage (UK), and Strikeforce.”
Looking back even further, it seems that Jose Patino was always destined to become a fighter. Nicknamed “Macaco” (Portuguese for “monkey”) as a child, the athletically-gifted young man eventually found himself training in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under Marcelo Berhing and Valdomire Perez Jr. (founder of Cia Paulista) before too long. It wasn’t much time after that Patino split to form his own academy (with Roberto Godoi), also taking up Vale Tudo – winning five times in his first year and going undefeated in winning nine overall from 1995-1996.
From there, Jorge “Macaco” Patino’s fighting career would speak for itself, as his wars with wars against José “Pelé” Landi-Jons and Roberto Godoi highlight a legendary career that also includes wins with Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza and Gabriel Vella along with many other fights like his battles with Andre Galvao and Pat Militech, just to name a few.
Regarding his legendary war with Pelé, Macaco recalls those bouts to be some of the most anticipated bouts ever.
“It was such a huge experience, everyone one picked a side. You either loved Pele and hated Macaco, or you loved Macaco and hated Pele. Everyone had their favorite, And so much happened before the fight, I am surprised the fight actually happened. A lot of people don’t know but Pele and I both had two fights before that fight, but with so much emotion between us it made for a very exciting fight.”
Now, twenty-two years after his first fight and after all those wars in the cage, Jorge Patino shows no signs of slowing down.
Moving to Texas a few short years ago, the Founder of Gold Team has been eager to grow his gym and cultivate talents for the future as he has been accustomed to doing. In the past, he has trained fighters such as the UFC’s Thiago Silva (one of his black belts), and continues to train other gifted young fighters like Charles “do Bronx” Oliviera.
Now while coaching is a passion for Patino, he also shows no indications of slowing down with his own fighting career. “I just love to compete, I want to be like Randy Couture and fight forever,” Macaco says, laughing, despite the fact that he has found the climate in the Lonestar State as a lot more challenging to deal with than he had been accustomed to in Brazil.
“I came to Texas and was very excited about competing. It’s a little different here, For example my first BJJ competition Houston you had to sign up in advance. I usually sign up in all the divisions I can. This event you had to sign up a week in advance, so I signed up and looked at the bracket – 12 guys in absolute. When I get to the tournament only 3 people are in bracket?
And MMA, it is very hard to find someone to fight, but we really want to thank Joe Christopher for accepting the fight, Joe is a true fighter!”
“Joe is a true fighter and he only fights tough guys, he has great BJJ, and has really improved his striking,” Macaco says, predicting a world of excitement for KOK fans as he makes his second Texas MMA appearance and first in Austin’s King of Kombat event along with several other Gold Team fighters.
Based on what he says about his initial experience with King of Kombat and Ron Hernandez, this may just be the first of many times we’ll be seeing the legendary Macaco duke it up here in good old Texas.
“Ron at King of Kombat has been very good to me and Gold Team; we are talking with KOK about more future fights. We really enjoy working with King of Kombat.”
Likewise, Texas MMA fans should really be in for a treat watching this legendary combatant step into the cage against Joe Christopher in a few short weeks.
Macaco left us with this sage piece of advice for all upcoming fighters.
“Train hard and fight easy.”
For event and ticket information for the April 9th King of Kombat: Mass Destruction event set for Austin’s Palmer Event Center, please visit www.kingofkombat.com.
Jorge “Macaco” Patino versus José “Pelé” Landi-Jons (1996)