JRE MMA Show #156 with Royce Gracie

15-May-24

This podcast takes listeners on a fascinating journey through the world of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu with Royce Gracie, a legendary figure who revolutionized mixed martial arts. The conversation covers a wide range of topics, from Royce’s early experiences in the sport to the evolution of MMA and the importance of discipline in achieving success. Provocative discussions include the Gracies’ approach to combat and their impact on the sport, and the changing nature of MMA rules.

The Origins of Gracie Jiu-Jitsu

1. Humble Beginnings in the Garage: Royce Gracie reveals the humble beginnings of Jiu-Jitsu training in his family’s garage, where private lessons were conducted one student at a time.
2. Horton’s Visionary Plan: Horton Gracie, Royce’s mentor, had the foresight to see the potential of Jiu-Jitsu on a global scale and recognized the importance of showcasing its effectiveness on national television.
3. The Explosive Spread of Jiu-Jitsu: UFC 1 was a pivotal moment, catapulting Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu into the mainstream and sparking a massive wave of interest across the United States.
4. The Gracie Family’s Legacy: The Gracie family’s commitment to Jiu-Jitsu is unparalleled, with generations of dedicated practitioners, including Royce’s father, Carlos Gracie, a pivotal figure in the development of the art.

Royce Gracie’s UFC Experience

1. The Choice of Royce: Royce’s calm personality and unwavering obedience to his father’s orders, particularly the focus on controlling opponents without inflicting harm, were key factors in his selection for UFC 1.
2. The Power of Jiu-Jitsu: The Gracie family’s confidence in Jiu-Jitsu’s effectiveness is evident in their directive to Royce to prioritize technique over aggression, demonstrating the art’s ability to subdue opponents regardless of size or strength.
3. The Early UFC and its Impact: Royce’s unprecedented success in UFC 1, showcasing the dominance of Jiu-Jitsu against other martial arts styles, changed the landscape of combat sports, proving that technique could triumph over brute force.
4. The Rise of MMA: UFC 1 set the stage for the modern era of mixed martial arts, where a diverse array of fighting styles are combined, with Jiu-Jitsu playing a crucial role in the evolution of the sport.

The Philosophy of Jiu-Jitsu

1. A Defensive Mindset: Royce emphasizes the defensive nature of Jiu-Jitsu, highlighting the importance of playing a “perfect defense game” to avoid mistakes and capitalize on opportunities presented by an opponent’s errors.
2. The Art of Control: Jiu-Jitsu is about controlling the fight, dominating opponents through technique, and utilizing leverage to gain a superior position, often without the need to resort to striking.
3. Technique Over Brute Force: Jiu-Jitsu prioritizes technique and leverage, proving that smaller fighters can effectively subdue larger, stronger opponents through strategic application of the art.
4. The Gracie Family’s Approach: The Gracie family’s unwavering belief in the effectiveness of Jiu-Jitsu led them to actively challenge fighters from different styles, showcasing the art’s versatility and effectiveness across a spectrum of combat disciplines.

The Debate on MMA Rules

1. The Impact of Rules: Royce expresses concern about how current MMA rules favor strikers and wrestlers at the expense of Jiu-Jitsu practitioners, creating a disadvantage for ground-based fighters.
2. The Argument for One-Round Fights: Royce proposes alternative rule changes, including the elimination of rounds and a focus on continuous action, allowing fighters to remain in the same position at the start of each round, thereby eliminating interruptions and favoring dominant positions.
3. The Importance of Realism: Royce advocates for rules that reflect the reality of a street fight, where a fighter taken down to the ground would not be allowed to simply stand up, but rather must earn their way back to a standing position.
4. The Evolution of MMA Rules: The evolution of MMA rules is a complex issue, with concerns about fighter safety and the need to create a compelling spectacle for viewers, balancing these factors with the principles of effective fighting.

Discipline and the Pursuit of Mastery

1. The Power of Discipline: Royce highlights the importance of discipline in achieving mastery in martial arts and attributes the success of Dagestani fighters to their unwavering focus and dedication to training.
2. Royce’s Training Regimen: Royce describes his rigorous training, including long runs, swimming, and strength training, emphasizing the importance of endurance as a foundation for success in MMA.
3. The Kaizen Mentality: Royce discusses the Japanese concept of Kaizen, emphasizing the value of consistent practice and continuous improvement as a path to mastery.
4. The Importance of Mental Fortitude: Royce underscores the importance of mental discipline in combat, illustrating the point with the metaphor of being dropped in the ocean, where the ability to persevere mentally is as crucial as physical strength.

Royce Gracie’s Hunting Adventures

1. The Challenge of Bow Hunting: Royce shares his passion for bow hunting and discusses the technique and skill involved in mastering the art, drawing parallels between the discipline required in combat sports and hunting.
2. The Importance of Respect for Wildlife: Royce emphasizes the importance of ethical hunting practices, prioritizing the use of the animal for its meat and respecting the natural world.
3. The Pursuit of Mastery: Royce describes the challenge of hunting as a continuous pursuit of improvement, where the thrill of the hunt is as rewarding as the outcome, even when returning empty-handed.
4. The Connection to Martial Arts: Royce draws parallels between the discipline, focus, and technical mastery required in Jiu-Jitsu and the skills needed for successful hunting.

The State of Western Society

1. The Shift from California to Florida: Royce explains his decision to move from California to Florida, citing a growing dissatisfaction with the state’s political climate and concerns about safety and respect.
2. The Importance of Freedom and Individual Rights: Royce underscores the value of individual freedom and the right to self-defense, criticizing policies that restrict gun ownership and the erosion of personal responsibility.
3. The End Game of Political Ideology: Royce expresses concern about the increasingly divisive nature of political discourse and the potential consequences of these divisions, questioning the motivations behind these ideologies and their potential impact on Western society.
4. The Future of America: Royce believes that America’s future is at stake and that the country’s decline could have global implications, urging viewers to support and defend the principles of freedom and personal responsibility.

Memorable Quotes:

1. “It’s because of my father. I’m a product of his work.”
2. “We’re not saying that we’re the best. We’re just like, hey, you say you’re the best. I’m the best. There’s only one way to find out.”
3. “He makes a mistake. But the mentality was always not to lose. So always be defensively minded.”
4. “Jiu-Jitsu, I always tell people, is the only martial art that delivers as advertised.”
5. “My father used to say, give me the right leverage and I’ll lift the world.”