Tadeu is notable for representing Luta Livre in Vale Tudo/MMA events. Especially on the feud between Luta Livre and Brazilian jiu-jitsu.[6]
Biography
In the JJ vs Martial Arts ChallengeVale Tudo event in 1984. Tadeu defeated BJJ representative Renan Pitanguy by TKO.[7]
In 1991, he fought BJJ representative Wallid Ismail at the Desafio - Jiu Jitsu vs Luta LivreVale Tudo event. The match saw both fighters extensively exchanging strikes, Ismail used his aggressive jiu-jitsu to takedown Tadeu and apply an early form of Ground-and-Pound, punishing him with headbutts and by throwing him outside the ring multiple times. After 16 minutes of fighting, Ismail threw him outside the ring one last time and the tired and injured Tadeu wasn't able to come back in, giving the victory to Ismail by TKO.[7][8]
In 1988, as a retaliation for the street fight between Rickson Gracie and Hugo Duarte. Tadeu together with a group of 60-70 other Luta Livre fighters, some armed with knives and firearms, did a Dojo storm on Gracie Academy, seeking a rematch for the fight. Tadeu choose to fight Royler Gracie but the match was cancelled as police was called. A couple of days later, Rickson and Royler went to Tadeu's academy to settle the score and Tadeu fought Royler into an hour long draw.[7][9] He was scheduled to fight Ralph Gracie but this never materialized.[10] This was because Tadeu did not submit his visa in time.[11]
Renzo Gracie fight
His most famous fight was with Renzo Gracie. Renzo and Tadeu were long time rivals.[12] The rivalry has been described as being a Hatfield vs McCoy style rivalry because in South America machismo is the rule.[13] Renzo once said "my name is not a bone to be carried in the jaw of a dog," before slapping the guy and declaring "you don't deserve my fist."[14] This was Renzo's last bare knuckle fight.[4] The riot from this fight led to MMA being banned from Rio de Janeiro.[15] Renzo claimed he was dominating the fight, but was having issues due to the oil that was on Tadeu's body.[4] After 15 minutes Renzo refused to rise and beckoned Tadau to grapple.[16] Renzo punched a fan in the face, causing more fans to riot.[14] The fight has been ranked one of the best fights to be ruled a no contest.[17] The riot was featured on World's Dumbest Criminals and is listed as the #8 Worst Moment In MMA History by ESPN.[3]
UFC
Eugenio Tadeu continued to represent Luta Livre, now in international events. He was invited to the Ultimate Fighting Championship where he participated at UFC 16 on the organization's inaugural Welterweight tournament. Tadeu fought Lion's Den graduate Mikey Burnett and lost to TKO after a 9:46 round.[18]
