As the UFC approaches its 30th anniversary event inside Madison Square Garden, the promotion’s inaugural champion Royce Gracie is sharing his picks for the greatest fighters in mixed martial arts history.
Royce Gracie, a grappling superstar, is widely recognized for his introduction of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu to fight fans and his victories in the UFC tournaments. He is considered a pioneer in martial arts and is hailed as one of the greatest competitors of all time.
Many world-class fighters have come and gone from the MMA world, with names like Georges St-Pierre, Anderson Silva, Jon Bones Jones, Khabib Nurmagodomedov, and Conor McGregor often being praised as the greatest fighters of all time.
Royce Gracies calls her father the greatest person
However, Gracie surprised many by choosing his father, Helio Gracie, as the greatest martial arts competitor. He emphasized that his father was far ahead of his time, excelling not just as a fighter but also in his self-defense style, particularly in facing larger, stronger opponents without any rules or limitations.
Helio Gracie, along with his brothers, created and developed the martial arts system known as Gracie Jiu-Jitsu. He frequently tested his skills against larger opponents, leaving behind a significant legacy in the martial arts world and passing away in 2009 at the age of 95.
With the help of his brothers Oswald, Gastao Jr., George and Carlos, Elio Gracie He created and developed the martial arts system known as Gracie Jiu-Jitsu.
Helio Gracie often tested his skills against larger competitors. In 1932, he first tried his skills when he fought against the national boxing champion Antonio Portugal. Gracie took him down and ended the match with an armlock at 40 seconds. He suffered the first loss of his career in 1951 when an opponent 77 pounds heavier than him put him in a kimura.
Helio Gracie went into retirement until 1967, when he finally retired from competitive apparel for good, choosing to focus on sharing his knowledge with the world and preparing his sons for their time in the spotlight. Did.
He passed away in 2009 at the age of 95, leaving behind a legacy that had an immeasurable impact on the martial arts world.
Long live the “Godfather of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.”
