For 365 days a year, the SUPER FIGHTS cares about telling fans news about champions. We cover fights Anderson Silva, Jon Jones, Conor McGregor, Khabib Nurmagomedov and other legends that enchant spectators. This time, however, we will go further. We will not write a short story, a fable, but we will deal with real life, about a true hero.
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On August 8th, in Florianópolis (SC), the RFA Fight, promoted by Master Rangel Farias, made history and gave a true show of inclusion by casting a fighter who is part of the 'Autism Spectrum Disorder' (ASD) for his opening match. Bernardo Graff, 20 years old, put on his gloves and exchanged forces against the experienced Márcio Lyoto, ex-TUF and 'Contender Series'. Climbing into a cage is for few, and it is the great story of 'Bê' that will be told today.
A LEGEND IS BORN
Bernardo Graff was one of the attractions at RFA Fight, at the beginning of August. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram
On April 26, 2001, Bernardo Graff Zagonel was born in Florianópolis, Santa Catarina. With the name of a fighter, 'Bê' had his ASD diagnosis confirmed at the age of three. The family, over time, came to understand that socialization was a powerful weapon for our warrior to win his daily battles.
“Autism goes from a more severe to a milder degree. Bernardo, with so much inclusion that we are exercising this social difficulty of communication and understanding, he has eased (the degree). Every autistic person is just like us. We all have our differences. The big challenge is figuring out how to deal with them, your child or everyone else. What did I learn? Putting the 'Bê' in inclusion, I see three aspects: you tell people what autism is, you give them this information; works with autistic people, exercising, explaining; It also deals with the person being included, because we also need to go through a lot of phases”, explains Cintia Graff, Bernardo’s mother.
Bernardo in MMA: what is it like for the family?
Bernardo Graff (right) attacks Márcio Lyoto (left) at RFA Fight. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram
Proud of her son, Cintia Graff stated that her son's interest in mixed martial arts proposes a determining process of acceptance. She talks about the challenge of following Bernardo's steps in sport.
“I was happy, because, for him, it was an achievement, but I will confess that it was the inclusion that I had to work on the most. I say this a lot: the fight seems to be aggressive, but it's all technical. Verbal aggression hurts much more. People who are involved in the fight know that they have technique, discipline and, above all, respect for their opponent. Everything is done on the mat. It was one of the biggest and best inclusions we have had”, said Cintia, who gives advice to families who have people on the autism spectrum in their daily lives.
“Parents have to allow themselves to experiment. The fight has an entire education. People often interpret fighting as a fight, but they won't know the situation. What we do with 'Bê' here at home is experiment. We have a glass, you can think it is almost empty or almost full. Don't be afraid to dare. Fear, in quotation marks, because we are always afraid, but let fear be an ally.
Favorite modality: Bernardo sends the real
MMA, as many know, is an art that encompasses different types of fighting. Just like any professional athlete, Bernardo, who is a fan of Amanda nunes, also has its preferences. Although he knows some areas, Graff doesn't hide which one he feels most comfortable in.
“I started training Muay Thai when I was 13 years old. Afterwards, I started training in boxing and, later, jiu-jitsu. I started to become more interested in jiu-jitsu, but I still like muay thai more.
'I always had the dream of fighting someone'
As many people know, sport is capable of causing definitive changes in the lives of many people around the world. Physical activity brings with it a range of possibilities that can bring decisive benefits to practitioners. Thus, MMA entered Bernardo’s story. A UFC fan, the fighter explained that he felt motivated to test himself in the sport.
“I always followed the UFC and had the dream of fighting someone. I'm a big fan of Márcio Lyoto – the athlete scheduled to challenge Graff at RFA Fight”, said the athlete.
RESPONSIBLE FOR THE SHOW
Bernardo Graff (left) poses next to Master Rangel Farias. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram
Responsible for choosing Bernardo Graff in the opening clash of RFA Fight, Master Rangel Farias, an important name for national MMA, spoke about 'Bê's first steps in the sport. Engaged in the fight for the inclusion of people on the autism spectrum since his Physical Education college days, the promoter narrated the meeting.
“'Bê' was a student of one of my students and came to do his first graduation with me. When he met me, the schedules worked out perfectly and I started doing work with him, and then he started working with me. Today, he no longer trains with me. He trains with Bruno (Coelho), who goes to his house and does personal work”, said Rangel, who added about his preparation for the specific project and Graff’s engagement in training.
“I had experience working with autism at college and there are some internships. 'Bê' was very stimulated and has very high development. I have had experiences with autism at a very high level in which we were unable to have almost any interaction. Not every autistic person can work on the fight. Bernardo, no. He is a very sociable boy and makes things a lot easier”, said Farias.
Idea of the fight
Anyone who thinks that the proposal to climb Graff to climb into the cage came from Master Rangel is mistaken. Quite the opposite. According to the promoter, Bernardo took the initiative and was willing to make up the card, making his first appearance in MMA.
“It was his idea. He always asks to fight. He says: 'Master, when am I going to fight?'. I had been dragging my feet, because working with autistic people makes it very difficult for them to get excited. He can have lapses of temper and goes from 'zero to 80' in the snap of a finger. We were really afraid of his reaction, but it was perfect. He was the athlete who obeyed me the most. If you take the video, you will see that every movement, he waited for my command. He was highly obedient. Everything I asked, he did”, said Rangel.
No cakewalk: Bernardo faces former TUF Brasil
Márcio Lyoto celebrates victory at TUF Brasil 3. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram
For his first fight in mixed martial arts, Bernardo was not intimidated and agreed to face former UFC and TUF Brasil 3 finalist, Márcio Lyoto. Excited to see his pupil in action, Farias explained how and when the duel was 'married'.
“One Saturday before the event, we talked and decided to put on the 'Bê' fight. Lyoto arrived at the warehouse to train and I asked if he would fight Bernardo. He said: 'Of course, Master. I have an autistic brother too'. He already has experience of what can happen – much more than me,” he said.
Big name, great human being: Márcio Lyoto
With experience in the world of MMA, including participation in the third edition of 'The Ultimate Fighter Brasil' (2014), in 'Dana White's Contender Series' (2018), Márcio Lyoto was chosen for Graff's debut in the sport. The young man's idol, the fighter, who has been with the UFC, accepted the commitment and exchanged forces with the fan. The Brazilian then spoke about the invitation.
“It was an invitation from Professor Rangel, who told me that he had a student with a dream of fighting at the event. I figured it out right away. Like it or not, it was an opportunity for me. I was grateful to Bernardo's family, who accepted that I would fight with Bernardo. We know that the family is a little apprehensive about the whole situation”, said Lyoto, who saw the confrontation as a chance to also grow as an athlete.
“As an athlete, this only adds up. Sport goes far beyond competition. Sport was created to break down barriers and include people, regardless of their problem. It's more than a cartel, a fight. It's a message you send to society. I'm happy that this message managed to reach several specialized media. When we finish our career as an athlete, our cycle, we want to leave a legacy, a positive story for our children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and people who feel represented by us in society. That’s what will stay”, he explained.
Extra motivation to face Graff
Before the fight, held at the beginning of August, Márcio revealed that he was moved by reports from Cintia, Bernardo's mother. Behind the scenes at RFA Fight, Lyoto described some difficult moments faced by the family. The facts motivated the athlete even more to put on a real show, together with 'Bê', in the cage.
“An important message that needs to be said is why social inclusion must be achieved. It was news that moved me. We know he has autism and his family are the real warriors. The stories she (Cintia) told me really moved me. She talked about some sad moments she had with Bernardo: Bernardo's lack of social inclusion at school, other classmates sometimes not understanding what was going on and him ending up being physically attacked. Any good human being, listening to a story like this, what he can do to help, do some research, try to include. This really affected me”, said Lyoto, before describing 'Bê's determination before the historic confrontation.
“Bernardo was in his own world, focused on having an MMA fight, walking from one side to the other, anxious. That makes me happy. Seeing him fulfill his dream, at an official event and having a presentation fight”, he said.
ASD in Lyoto's family
As mentioned by Rangel Farias, Márcio Lyoto speaks appropriately about situations involving people on the autism spectrum. The fighter spoke about the case of his brother, Alisson Alexandre, aged eight, who also has a diagnosis of ASD.
“I have a brother who is also autistic, but to a milder degree. We begin to learn to live with cases in our family and become more intimate. We are obliged to research, see how the child behaves, the actions he or she will take. This has to be talked about. In cases like this, largely out of fear of society, people end up hiding (the patients) at home. People have the right to be able to go out and live in society. Speaking of reality, day-to-day life, there are days that are perfect and, others, there are one problem or another”, he said.
FIGHT TIME!
From the show of overcoming, to fighting in the cage. Presented in an exciting way, Bernardo is ready for his long-awaited fight against Lyoto. The confrontation, however, does not last long. In the first round, Graff takes advantage of an oversight by Márcio, who, when advancing on 'Bê's' legs, leaves his neck exposed and this is the beginning of the end.
Without wasting time, Graff grabs his opponent's neck and locks in a guillotine choke. Unable to move away from the position, Lyoto gives the three taps, forces the referee to stop and confirms: Bernardo Graff submits in the first round and wins his first fight in MMA.
Bernardo Graff (left) defeated Márcio Lyoto (right) in the first round of RFA Fight. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram
Next step
With his dream come true, anyone who thinks that Graff's career in the sport stops there is mistaken. As far as Rangel Farias and Bernardo depend, the next appointment may not be far away. Responsible for RFA Fight, the Master did not hesitate in his response.
“We are watching his next fight. We are studying another famous fighter. He will definitely be at the next event. He is a boy who is the face of our team, he is always together. So, he deserves it”, assured Rangel.
Like any good athlete, 'Bê' states that he has to wait a period of time for a new commitment. However, we can expect more Bernardo Graff soon.
“You have to wait a while. But when you’re ready,” he said.
Fighter's dream
After his first victory in MMA, Bernardo does not hide his plans for his career in the sport. Asked what his biggest dream in the sport is, Graff didn't shy away and answered directly.
“My dream is to be an undefeated athlete”, he concluded.
AFTER ALL, WHAT IS 'TEA'?
Over the years, the topic 'Autism Spectrum Disorder' has gained more and more strength in society. It is important, however, to evolve and always seek knowledge on subjects that can enhance the quality of life among people who lack understanding. In order to clarify the technical aspect of the subject, our team spoke with Dr. Raquel Machado Soares, a child neurologist, graduated from the Faculty of Medicine of the Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG), who explained the condition.
“'Autism Spectrum Disorder' is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized, basically, by difficulty, to some degree, in the areas of communication, language, social interaction. 'TEA' accompanies the child from the first years of life. For you to give this diagnosis, the person must have difficulty communicating and interpersonal interaction. The main hallmark of Autism Spectrum Disorder is the person having difficulty with language, communication, interaction, socialization. Also, having some more restricted interests, more rigid behavior, repetitive behaviors. Basically, this is what every patient with this diagnosis will present to some degree. Some will have a milder degree; others, more serious. The issue of degree has a lot to do with the patient's independence – the demand for some assistance in daily life. In mild cases, patients are more independent. In serious terms, they are dependent, those who do not speak, or speak very little. It does not have an association with intelligence. It is related to the ability to interact and communicate”, said the doctor.
Existing taboos
Although the topic 'ASD' is gaining more and more space within society, there are still some existing taboos that need to be highlighted. With her experience in the area, Dr. Raquel listed some recurring situations in her interactions with patients, family members and external people.
“With this difficulty in interaction, sometimes people can have problems at school from an early age, learning difficulties. You can arrive at someone's house and not say hello, call them by name and they (the patient) don't look. The patient does not understand these social codes very much. Very often, patients have difficulties with touch, loud noises, sometimes they become more easily irritated, and have greater intolerance towards frustrations. Everything varies a lot depending on the type of presentation that person will have”, he described.
Improved quality of life
One of the sparks for the production of this special article is to show that there are possibilities for gains in patients who are part of the autism spectrum. Dr. Raquel then points out alternatives that can favor the development of cases. Sport is one of them.
“We see some lines of therapy. There is one, based on human behavior analysis (ABA), proven to be one of the therapies that best responds to the treatment of autism. It's as if you managed to make that person adapt better to your difficulties. Furthermore, we have many results in music therapy. I see a taste for music very often. I hear parents say a lot that music therapy helps a lot, even for those who have some type of intolerance to some noises. They (the patients) start to receive stimuli and learn a little more. Sometimes even some patients who don't speak start to sing. Sometimes a person is not so interested in socializing, but when they hear music that pleases them, they start to sing and develop their speech better”, said the specialist, who added sport as one of the alternatives.
“Regarding sport, it’s very valid. We often see the relationship between autism and motor coordination disorders, which sometimes delays development. When the child is interested – some like water activities. I think it's interesting for parents to observe each other's condition. (…) Sometimes, parents of children and adolescents with this diagnosis think that the child will not be able to be productive, will not have a good quality of life, independence. These events are important for people to look up to. There's a way for us to work. There are many people among us who are doing a job, a sport. It’s great for families, for people who have this diagnosis to feel motivated and included”, he concluded.
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