Royce Gracie
The sport of Mixed Martial
Arts was founded upon the success of one Grappler - Royce
Gracie. To this day he is the widest known Grappler on Earth,
and one of the best-known martial artists of the 20th Century.
And no wonder!
Royce is the only fighter
in the history of no-holds-barred matches to ever defeat
four opponents in one night. To this day he holds the record
for wins in the Octagon. And the success continues, with
his recent shellacking of Olympic Judo Gold Medallist Hidehiko
Yoshida.
Royce began Grappling
before he could walk, by playing with his father, the legendary
Helio Gracie. Entering tournaments at age eight, he earned
a black belt by age 18. At that age, he joined his brother
Rorion in the USA, where they began teaching lessons in
a garage.
From that humble beginning,
the legend was born. First the brothers opened an Academy
that eventually became the most successful in the USA. And
they revived the Gracie Challenge - anyone who doubted the
overwhelming efficiency of their Jiu-Jitsu was invited to
fight about it. A member of the Academy who had achieved
great success in media entertainment watched the action;
there the UFC became an idea, and before long it was a reality
that affected all of us.
The reality of a slight
and friendly man, defeating a succession of massive kickboxers,
judoka, boxers, karate fighters, and plain old brawlers
had an effect on martial arts the equivalent of the introduction
of science. Finally there was a way to test what worked,
repeatedly. And Royce did. Martial arts will never be the
same again, except for people who like living in caves,
and walking around in skins.
While Royce is still
ready for every challenge, he now governs a globe encompassing
operation, with seminars across the world, for both civilians
and LEOs, and a Network of over 50 affiliated Training Associations
in many States, and Internationally.
Because he brought reality
to tens millions of martial arts devotees, turning the fight
world on it's head;
Because his character - humble, and brave, and fierce, and
friendly - perfectly represents our sport;
Because he continues to spread the gospel of the ground
across the Earth;
Royce Gracie is hereby inducted into the Grappling Hall
of Fame as a Founding Member
For more information
on Royce Gracie please visit www.RoyceGracie.tv
"I'll even
fight the devil himself if he steps in the octagon with
me." -Royce Gracie
