Royce Gracie against Ken Shamrock at UFC 1 / Photo by Susumu Nagao

The photographer behind some of the most classic GRACIEMAG covers, Susumu Nagao will have part of his precious archives put on exhibit in Rio de Janeiro starting October 11.

Through the “From vale-tudo to MMA” exposition, fight fans will be taken on a trip through the early days of MMA, in 299 images taken by Susumu and some Brazilian photojournalists. The Japanese master was the only photographer present at the early UFC, Pride FC and ADCC events, not to mention at numerous Jiu-Jitsu World Championships.

The exhibit opens at 7 PM on the coming 11th  and will be located on the second floor of Rio Sul shopping mall, in Rio de Janeiro City’s Botafogo neighborhood. If you’re in the area, drop by to get a look at the photos that marked the history of GRACIEMAG and the very UFC itself. Plenty of MMA stars have already confirmed they’ll be there.