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Royce Gracie’s Son on MMA Debut: ‘I’ve Never Competed in Jiu-Jitsu’

Royce Gracie’s Son on MMA Debut: ‘I’ve Never Competed in Jiu-Jitsu’

UFC Hall of Famer and current Bellator MMA brand ambassador Royce Gracie has his name forever written in the history of MMA.  And now it looks like one of his kids is ready to take the same path.

His son Khonry Gracie recently fought Ben Clark at Attitude MMA Fights X and won by majority decision.

Gracie told MMA Fighting that he was happy with his MMA debut:

“I am glad, looking back at the fight, that I went all three rounds. “It was good to get the experience, it was good to get a feel for what it’s gonna be like, you know, but my gameplan going in was trying to get him down. He did a very good job of blocking the takedowns.”

Unlike his first cousins Ryron, Rener, and Ralek Gracie, and uncles Rickson, Rorion or even his father Royce, Khonry never competed in Jiu-Jitsu and went straight to MMA. When asked why he said:

“because tournaments are all about points. Today it’s maybe some of the best guys in the world finish in submissions, but most people in tournaments today don’t submit, they win by point system. It does nothing to do with what i wanna do, which is MMA.”

“When I grew up I played soccer for almost 10 years. I played soccer, I was very focused on soccer. Jiu-jitsu was a hobby. I learned jiu-jitsu and I taught jiu-jitsu, but I didn’t actually need to fight until three years ago I made a decision. ‘Look, when I turn 20, when I turn 21, I’m gonna fight, I’m gonna start my career.’ It wasn’t until three years ago when I officially focused on MMA, but I’ve been training jiu-jitsu my whole life.”

“I had an offer to go play soccer for an university here in California, or I could focus on jiu-jitsu and focus on MMA and try to go pro in that,” he said. “That day came when I had to pick one or the other, so I picked jiu-jitsu. It was all my decision. (Royce) never forced, which I appreciate now looking back at it. I’m glad of the decision I made. No regrets.”

 

Royce Gracie Believes Jiu-Jitsu Competitions Don’t Help With Self Defense: