Yes, there was Maeda, and there was a bunch of other stuff (Merikan fights, shooto, etc). However, Vale Tudo was created by the Gracies, who eventually went on

Yes, there was Maeda, and there was a bunch of other stuff (Merikan fights, shooto, etc). However, Vale Tudo was created by the Gracies, who eventually went on to create a very similar thing with the UFC, which then caught on and today MMA is pretty much what the UFC is. Plus, before, there were fighters pitting their style against other styles. In Brazil, besides the BJJ fighters, there were 'Vale Tudo' fighters, who trained in many styles and mixed, BJJ, wrestling and stand-up (Marco Ruas for example. His trained in everything, and when asked, he said his style was Vale Tudo). Which is what any MMA athlete is today.