Vale Tudo Legend, Carlson Gracie Rival Wilson ‘Passarito’ Dead at 94

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Brazilian Vale Tudo icon Wilson “Passarito” Oliveira died on Sunday at the age of 94.

A Brazilian judo champion in the 1950s and a former marine, Wilson de Oliveira became known as “El Passarito” when he represented Brazil in judo at the Pan American Games in Buenos Aires in 1951.

A great friend and training partner of Waldemar Santana, “Passarito” was a student of Augusto Cordeiro in judo and Euclydes Hatem in Luta Livre, coming from the same lineage of capoeira and Luta Livre fighters who came together to face the Gracie hegemony. “Passarito” faced Carlson Gracie three times at Vale Tudo events. The first was at the legendary Maracanã Stadium in 1953, three years before the historic fight in which Carlson avenged his uncle, Hélio Gracie, against Waldemar Santana.

Carlson began fighting while wearing the gi, but after being taken down many times, Helio Gracie convinced him to take the gi off during the course of the match. Despite “Passarito’s" clear advantage, which was evident as he broke Gracie's collarbone, the fight ended in a draw. The following year, the rematch was scheduled in Sao Januario stadium, and this time Carlson was much more prepared and completely dominated the fight, leaving “Passarito” with a very bruised face. Carlson was declared the winner in a fight referred to as “Savagery in Sao Januario” by local media.

The trilogy took place in 1958 at Maracanãzinho Stadium. At the time, “Passarito” had been away from the ring to dedicate himself to judo. He was convinced by his friend, Waldemar Santana, to accept Gracie's challenge. This time Carlson managed to submit him in the fourth round.

With the death of “Passarito,” only two icons of the so-called golden sextet of Brazilian Vale Tudo in the 1950s and 1960s remain alive: Euclides Pereira (81 years old), who now lives in Brasilia, and João Alberto Barreto (80 years old), who was a referee at UFC 1 and is living in Rio de Janeiro. Waldemar Santana died in 1984 (age 55), Ivan Gomes died in 1990 (aged 50) and Carlson Gracie died in 2006 (age 73).