Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu legend Renzo Gracie has made serious allegations about behind-the-scenes tensions within Brazil’s Supreme Court during the legal proceedings involving former President Jair Bolsonaro. In a video obtained by ICL Notícias, Gracie claims that Supreme Court Justice Luiz Fux threatened physical confrontation with fellow Justice Alexandre de Moraes over potential restrictions on Bolsonaro’s movement.
The revelation adds a new dimension to understanding the dynamics within Brazil’s highest court, particularly given Fux‘s own deep connection to martial arts. The 72-year-old justice holds a coral belt in BJJ, representing 8th degree mastery – one of the most prestigious ranks in the art that Renzo Gracie helped popularize worldwide.
According to Gracie‘s account, delivered to supporters at a restaurant gathering, Fux allegedly told de Moraes he would physically confront him if Bolsonaro‘s passport were confiscated. This claim suggests unprecedented tensions between the justices during one of Brazil’s most politically charged legal proceedings.
Gracie, who has maintained close ties to Bolsonaro throughout his presidency and afterward, also revealed his role as an intermediary in discussions about the former president’s options during his time in the United States. The BJJ master claims he facilitated conversations about asylum requests and that foreign authorities had prepared contingency plans for what they anticipated would be legal persecution.
“I can’t live anywhere other than Brazil. Even if it costs me my freedom,”
Gracie quoted Bolsonaro as saying when offered safe passage to another country via a plane that was allegedly made available for his use.
The allegations take on particular significance given Fux‘s judicial record during the Bolsonaro proceedings. Unlike many of his Supreme Court colleagues, Fux consistently took more moderate positions. He was the sole justice to oppose precautionary measures against the former president including electronic monitoring and advocated for lighter sentences in related cases involving January 8, 2023 incidents.
Fux‘s background reveals a complex figure who balances judicial gravitas with an unconventional lifestyle. The son of Romanian immigrants who fled wartime persecution, he has spent decades perfecting his martial arts skills while rising through Brazil’s legal hierarchy. His journey from Shell attorney to Supreme Court justice included stops as prosecutor, judge, and appeals court justice before his appointment to the nation’s highest court.
The justice’s approach to jurisprudence mirrors his disciplined martial arts practice. He prefers in-person deliberations for complex matters and has evolved from rigid positions to what observers call a “voice of balance” on the court. His routine includes watching UFC events and consuming powdered guaraná instead of coffee between sessions.
Gracie also claimed involvement in coordinating significant investments during the Bolsonaro administration, stating he helped facilitate R$40 billion in projects. He dismissed suggestions of personal financial gain, declaring he would never
“take a penny” and become like “those political pr*stitutes.”
The timing of these revelations coincides with ongoing legal challenges facing Bolsonaro, who holds an honorary black belt in BJJ awarded by members of the Gracie family. The former president was given a 27 year prison sentence for attempting a coup..
Neither Justice Fux nor Justice de Moraes has responded to Gracie‘s allegations about the alleged physical threat. The Supreme Court typically maintains strict protocols around judicial conduct, making such claims particularly striking if verified.
