ROYCE GRACIE

ATTRIBUTES

OFFENSIVE SKILLS

DEFENSIVE SKILLS

ULTIMATE TECHNIQUES

QUICK HEAD KICK

Level 1 - Both Standing, Striking Range

Though not particularly powerful, this swift technique kick allows Gracie to threaten his opponent while attempting to keep his distance. Land a few of these to throw off the opponent’s timing.

DIRECT CATCH TO ARMBAR

Level 2 - Single Collar Tie

Few fighters can perform submissions from the clinch. Of course, Royce Gracie is one of the few. Lock up in the Single Collar Tie clinch, then surprise his opponent with this unexpected technique sub.

DIRECT CATCH TO UPWARD REAR NAKED CHOKE

Level 3 - Back Side Control, Bottom

Whenever Gracie manages to take his opponent’s back, he’s able to sink in lethal chokes from behind. Score a takedown from the Back Clinch to set up these excellent submissions.

STRENGTHS

• Submissions

• World-class experience

• Heart

One of the greatest fighters to ever live, Royce Gracie revolutionized the entire concept of fighting in combat sports when he introduced the world to his family’s unique brand of martial art: Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ).

This crippling style of submission grappling quickly became recognized as a necessary tool for all serious sports combat athletes, largely because of how effortlessly he commanded it: Once he’d brought his opponents to the ground, they were trapped, and Gracie would eventually force them to submit.

Bring his adversaries to the ground as soon as you’re able, either by shooting in for short takedowns on the feet, or by pulling guard or performing judo throws from the clinch.

Once the fight has hit the floor, he can begin to work his lethal submission game—look for kimuras from clinch positions while stuck on bottom, and attempt armbars and chokes from the top when you gain dominant position.

As an innovator of BJJ, Gracie can perform high-level submissions in many different ground positions, and he can even switch between them to prolong his odds of forcing the tap.

WEAKNESSES

• Speed

• Striking

• Kick defense
  

Though his submission grappling is beyond compare, Royce Gracie suffers from a lackluster stand-up game, which makes him highly vulnerable while he fights on the feet.

Elusive kickboxing is the ideal way to confront this grappling master—keep him on the end of your quick kicks, maintaining distance to remain ready to defend against his takedowns.

He is particularly vulnerable to kicks, so sting him with them over and over once you’re confident with your range and timing.

Work him over with sharp kickboxing to punish him in the stand-up, denying him the chance to employ his fearsome ground game.

Gracie knows submissions from the Single Collar Tie clinch, so don’t risk tying up with him, even on the feet.

Keep well out of his grasp and punish him with superior striking on the feet to expose the gaping hole in this MMA legend’s stand-up game.