|
|
Royce Gracie
Royce Gracie was born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
The 39-year-old Gracie is one of nine children, seven
of whom are boys. His training in Jiu-Jitsu began at a
very early age as a game with his father Helio, now 88
years old. Helio never pushed any of the children to
take formal classes until they wanted to do so,
however they often went to the Academy in Rio after
school and on weekends.
Royce began competing in tournaments at age eight
He received his blue belt at age 16 and was promoted
to black belt in less than two years. Royce moved to
the United States at age 18 to live with his brother,
Rorion. They began teaching private classes out of
their garage, sometimes for more than ten hours a day.
Rorion and Royce opened the Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Academy
eleven years ago in Torrance, California. Today it is
one of the largest martial arts schools in the
country.
Royce’s reputable career as a fighter began in 1993
after defeating three opponents in the first Ultimate
Fighting Championship. |
 |
His brother Rorion came
up with this innovative challenge as a way to show
Gracie Jiu-Jitsu to the world. Discipline after
discipline was defeated by the slight 6’1”, 180 pound
Royce Gracie.
His opponents consistently outweighed him by more than
50 pounds. He went on to win 3 UFC titles and today is
the only man in the history of no holds barred matches
to successfully defeat four
opponents in one night.
Royce is still very active in the fight world with the
longer MMA match in history 90 min against Japanese
Superstar Kazushi Sakuraba in PRIDE Grand PRIX 2000,
and total domination of the
Olympic Judo Gold Medalist Hidehiko Yoshida in
|
Royce Gracie vs. Ken
Shamrock |
PRIDE Shockwave 2003.
His largest opponent yet was Sumo Grand Champion
Akebono, 6' 8" 486lbs. Royce vs. Akebono was the main
event of K-1 Premium Dynamite New Years Eve show on
12/31/2004. Royce defeated the giant in just 2min and
13sec with a shoulder lock. Royce’s success has
opened the eyes of many disbelievers
to the importance of leverage and technique in
grappling. In November of 2003, Royce Gracie was the
first fighter to be inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame
along with fellow UFC veteran Ken Shamrock.
The legend of the Gracie family began in Brazil with
Royce’s father, Helio Gracie. |
Royce Gracie Wins
UFC 1 Tournament |
Today Royce is
privileged to spread the techniques perfected by his
father all over the world. Throughout his busy
fighting career Royce has maintained a rigorous travel
schedule of seminars and classes.
His list of students is enormous. Royce has taught
many of the big screen greats like Chuck Norris, Ed
O’Neal, Guy Ritchie and Nicholas Cage. He has also
been very active with the CIA, FBI, DEA, Secret
Service, Army Rangers, Army Special Forces, Navy Seals
and many sheriff and police departments. |
Royce Gracie vs.
Hidehiko Yoshida |
|
Royce makes his home in
Torrance, California with his wife, Marianne and three
sons, Khonry, Khor and Kheydon. He maintains an
impressive training regimen, which includes running,
weight training, cardiovascular activity, meditation
and countless hours of Gracie Jiu-Jitsu. He is always
up to the challenge and eagerly awaits his next fight
|
Royce Gracie vs.
Akebono
(6' 8", 486lbs) |
|
|
Royce Gracie