Introduction
[#177 MW] Isaac Dull
(7-3) is a martial artist with an interesting journey. He is a humble person, who was born and raised in Brazil. Isaac has trained with legends and is making a mark on the international stage.Isaac’s story is one of passion, dedication, and the relentless pursuit of greatness. In this interview, Isaac opens up about his early life and how he found his way into martial art. In addition, he personally knows the renowned Gracie family, and has trained under them. This has helped shape him into the martial artist that he is today. He continues to compete in MMA worldwide. Let’s take a look at the career and mindset of one of the sport’s more dedicated athletes.
Q & A
FightMatrix: Tell us about your childhood and upbringing. How did you first get involved in martial arts?
Isaac Dull: I am the son of Joao Carlos Dull and Maria do Carmo Toledo , born in Sao Felix do Araguaia – Mato Grosso, but we moved to Barra do Garcas and there I started training jiu-jitsu with professor Adilson Esteves.
FM: When you first arrived in Rio, you lived with the Gracie family. Tell us about this experience.
ID: I came to Rio already a black belt in BJJ, searching for Vale-Tudo / MMA fights.
At that moment I was teaching BJJ in the Gracie Barra HQ, where I met the Gracie family that invited me to start a kind of project on Pedra de Guaratiba. I lived over there with Juramidam Gracie, Marco Gracie, Gisele Gracie, etc…
FM: What made you decide on a career as a professional Mixed Martial Arts fighter?
ID: I saw magazines like Gracie Mag, Tatame… Saw the Pride fights at that time, saw the IVC video tapes, and by being training jiu-jitsu, the Vale-Tudo was the biggest challenge to have done than and give a try to see if I have some chance.
FM: Who do you consider the greatest MMA fighter of all time?
ID: Fedor Emelianenko. That’s the name that came to my mind. I am a big fan of Igor Vovchanchyn, Rickson Gracie and others as well. 🙂
FM: You are ranked #177 Middleweight in the world by FightMatrix.com. Do you agree or disagree with your ranking?
ID: I agree, but with the right structure and training, I can get to the top easily.
FM: What is the origin of your nickname, ‘Toledo’?
ID: Toledo is my middle name. For real, I have no nickname; people just used to call me by my last name. :p
FM: Who was your toughest opponent in MMA?
ID: Warren Kee in England because he was much more experienced than I was in my second fight. That fight was hell!
FM: You have traveled and fought all over the world. What was your favorite country to visit, and why?
ID: After an Ayahuasca session in Mato Grosso I was talking with some friends and one of them said he wants to do a backpacking trip through Europe someday, I said to him I wish to go to India, another one said that I should pack my stuff and just go. After a while I lived twice over there through the fight. Meditation, Yoga, Ayurveda… All their culture enchants me.
FM: Who is your biggest inspiration in life?
ID: Mestre Gabriel
FM: What does a typical day of training look like for you?
ID: Morning MMA; Afternoon, Bodybuilding; Night, some technical specific training
FM: You are 42 years old. How much longer do you think you will be fighting professionally?
ID: Fedor [Emelianenko], [Randy] Couture, and some bad-asses kept fighting 45+, I think I can do the same.
FM: What do you plan to do after retiring from active competition?
ID: Hustling as always did, no matter the area, but about the fight, I want to keep sharing it and make other killers.
FM: Is there anything else you would like our readers to know about you?
ID: Since I was a kid, I beat adults playing chess. That’s my real talent. 😀
MMA & Boxing Author | Business Development Consultant
I have been a fan and avid viewer of all combat sports for decades. As a teenager I practiced Judo, this is what eventually piqued my interest in Mixed Martial Arts. I have been a spectator of the UFC since 2001. For 25 years I’ve worked in healthcare, and now am trying to make something that was a hobby, into a full-time endeavor.