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Vale Tudo is originally a Portugese term that means "Anything Goes". In English the term Vale means is allowed and Tudo means everything. This is definitely a type of Combat Sport and unarmed competitions were fought with little or no rules. This term in Brazil was first referenced with the old sport of Booth Fighting which was popular in England over the last 200 years. In fact, modern boxing originated in England.
The Japanese American Courier published some Vale Tudo Bouts back in 1928. Around the 1960's and forward, this combat sport was never public again and remained a sub-culture. You would be able to witness these fights mostly in small gymnasiums or Martial Arts Dojos. Most of the culture surrounding this sport was from Rio De Janiero, however a lot of fights did happen in the Northern Region. Also Bahia had them as well which was in the Southern Region. Back then there was a lot of conflict between Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Luta Livre.
Fights occured in other regions but a more diverse mix of Martial Arts were also included. In 1993 it reemerged. Rorian Gracie emigrated to the U.S. when he helped found the Ultimate Fighting Championships and introduced Vale Tudo to this new market. Now this sport gained tremendous world wide popularity due to piggy backing off the publicity of the UFC. Japan took a particularly high level of interest in it. Also back in Brazil where it originated from it had a major resurgence, as well as now being broadcast on Brazilian Television.
Sao Paulo Brazil is where these Vale Tudo promotions were announced from, and because of this, it created an opportunity for a lot of participants to go on to become MMA Superstars. Unfortunately in 2002 Sao Paulo banned Vale Tudo fights and wouldn't recognize it as a sanctioned sport. Because of the intense and dangerous way these fights take place, they are frowned on by the media, although these events still happen underground all the time in Brazil.
