Rorian Gracie had intended for Rickson to be the Gracie representive in the first UFC. After Rorian created the Gracies in Action series with the help of Art Davie they begun work on a new project that would eventually become the UFC's first show. Rickson was Rorian first choice for obvious reasons - he was younger than Rorian by 8 years, he had the more marketable/muscular look and was considered the champion of the family due to fights against zulu and the Hugo Duarte beach fight. Just before the first show Rickson left the Gracie Academy in Torrence and went his own way after Rorian found that he had been teaching students on the side and was asked to leave. With a rift developing in the family Rorian turned to Royce and the rest is history....