Pro mixed-martial artist indicted for alleged assault on sidelines of Anaheim competition

An Orange County grand jury has indicted a professional mixed-martial artist accused of attacking a jiujitsu world champion on the sidelines of a competition, prosecutors said Friday.

Ralph Gracie, 48, is facing a felony assault charge with an enhancement for causing great bodily injury connected to what prosecutors described as an unprovoked attack on Flavio Almeida at the 2018 International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation World Championships in Anaheim, according to an Orange County District Attorney’s Office statement.

Gracie, a Danville resident who holds a fifth-degree black belt in Brazilian jiujitsu, is the owner of several jiujitsu academies.

During the Dec. 15 competition, prosecutors say, Gracie was talking on the sidelines with Almeida, who was coaching an athlete.

Prosecutors allege that Gracie elbowed Almeida in the face, knocking him unconscious. While Almeida was on the ground, prosecutors say, Gracie kicked him in the face at least once.

Also, a student of Gracie’s, Lincoln Pereira, was accused of striking Almeida while he was on the ground.

The motive was unclear. Almeida suffered a concussion and lost two front teeth.

Orange County Superior Court Judge Roger B. Robbins reduced the felony assault charge Pereira was facing to a misdemeanor, and he was sentenced in August to 80 days of time served in jail, according to the DA’s Office.

Gracie has previously denied the allegations.

An attorney listed in court records as representing Gracie could not be reached for comment.