Royce Gracie’s name will come up whenever there is a conversation about the greatest combat sports athlete of all time. Royce Gracie, a 7th degree red/black coral belt in Gracie Jiu-Jitsu under legendary Rickson Gracie, Royce is widely regarded as one of the greatest BJJ practitioners, and arguably the greatest mixed martial artist of all time.
Royce Gracie made his presence felt at the ceremony for the UFC Hall of Fame inductions. Royce Gracie was present in the ceremony as a special guest and came to introduce former UFC welterweight champion Georges St-Pierre into the UFC Hall of Fame.
The name “Gracie” continues to remain immortal in the world of combat sports, and it’s not just the popularity of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, but the fact that fighters like Nick Diaz, Nate Diaz, Kron Gracie, and Brian Ortega continue to carry the “Gracie” name as they compete at the top of the fight game. Interacting with media, Royce Gracie extended his support towards fellow Gracie disciples Nick Diaz, and Brian Ortega ahead of their fights at UFC 266.
“It’s the Gracie army all the way. But, hold on. There’s only one way to find out who is going to win. As a fan, yes, I am cheering for them. Who is gonna win? Anything can happen.” Royce Gracie said.
Speaking on Nick Diaz’s return, here’s what the legendary Royce Gracie had to say. “Because Nick haven’t fought for a long time, it doesn’t mean he haven’t been training. The guy is a training machine, can never count him out. Because he is not fighting every month, every six months, or every year, it doesn’t mean that he gained weight, he’s out of shape, and he haven’t trained. No! He is keeping the troops and sword sharp and clean, that’s what I would say.”
Royce Gracie competed at UFC 1, fighting three opponents in the same night. Gracie submitted Art Jimmerson, Ken Shamrock, and Gerard Gordeau on the same day on November 12, 1993. Over his decade-long MMA career, Royce Gracie elapsed an impressive record of 15-2, picking up notable wins over the likes of Ken Shamrock, Dan Severn, and Kazushi Sakuraba among others. Royce’s rivalry with “Gracie Killer” Kazushi Sakuraba, in particular, is widely regarded as one of the greatest rivalries of all time. You can check out all his fights on the UFC Fight Pass.
Brian Ortega and Nick Diaz are Gracie disciples
Nick Diaz is a third-degree black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under the legendary Cesar Gracie. Meanwhile, Nate Diaz is a second-degree black belt under Cesar. Both the Diaz brothers have been training under the Gracie family for as long as one can remember.
I’d like to introduce you to my brother, his name is T-city 2.0! @BrianTcity pic.twitter.com/1zYxtLMpsF
— Rener Gracie (@RenerGracie) October 18, 2020
On the other side, Brian Ortega is a first-degree black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under Rener Gracie. Nick Diaz had earlier revealed that he is training alongside Cesar Gracie ahead of his return fight against Robbie Lawler at UFC 266.