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Kron Gracie Opens Up About Strained Relationship and Lack of Support from Father Rickson Gracie

Kron Gracie Opens Up About Strained Relationship and Lack of Support from Father Rickson Gracie

Kron Gracie has opened up about the challenges of living under the shadow of his family’s legendary legacy as he prepares for his UFC 310 bout against Bryce Mitchell. In a recent interview, Kron spoke candidly about his professional journey, the pressures from the jiu-jitsu community, and his strained relationship with his father, Rickson Gracie.

Balancing Legacy and Evolution in MMA

Reflecting on his loss to Charles Jourdain at UFC 288, Kron acknowledged the impact of external expectations on his performance. Under pressure to adhere to his grappling roots, Kron followed advice that, in hindsight, he believes was a mistake.

“I feel like it was a really bad performance,” Kron admitted. “I felt a lot of pressure from the jiu-jitsu community and a lot of people in my family, with everybody kind of saying, ‘You should just use jiu-jitsu, and I don’t need to box, and I don’t need to strike.’ It was the first time in my life where I kind of listened to people and tried to do something to please a bunch of people around me.”

Kron’s strict adherence to a grappling-only strategy in that fight left him without the versatility needed for success in modern MMA. “I came into that fight with just one tool… it was a stupid decision,” he confessed. “I was under strict orders to not punch, so that was a bad idea.”

With UFC 310 on the horizon, Kron has vowed to take a more balanced approach. “It’s MMA. Not that it only should be punching or only should be grappling,” he explained, signaling his commitment to evolving his game and staying true to his vision of what MMA should be.

A Complicated Relationship with Rickson Gracie

Beyond the octagon, Kron touched on the complexities of his relationship with his father, Rickson Gracie, a martial arts icon and one of the most respected figures in Brazilian jiu-jitsu. Rickson has previously spoken about their dynamic, attributing the distance between them to Kron’s desire for independence.

“The last time we spoke, I felt that he needed space,” Rickson shared in an interview. “He needed to be Kron Gracie, he didn’t want to be the son of Rickson Gracie anymore, and I accept that as growth in his life.”

In his book, Rickson delved further into this subject, explaining how he stepped back to let Kron find his own path. While he respected Kron’s decision to train with the Diaz brothers, he admitted to disagreeing with their approach to fighting. “I respected Kron enough to let him follow his own path in MMA. When he decided to train with the Diaz brothers, I became more of an observer than a coach,” Rickson wrote. “But I do not share the Diaz brothers’ fighting sensibility because it is built around toughness and a willingness to endure punishment. I always wanted to win quickly, decisively, and avoid getting injured.”

When asked about Rickson’s remarks, Kron responded with a mix of bluntness and reverence. “I think that’s a little bit of a lie,” Kron said. “I love my dad, and he’s a big foundation of my life and everything that I become.”

Despite their limited communication, Kron expressed his love and concern for his father, who has been battling Parkinson’s disease. “It’s been a minute, but I love him, I miss him, and it is what it is,” Kron shared. “I wish him the best and I wish him in good health.”

Forging His Own Path

Kron’s return at UFC 310 is about more than just stepping back into the octagon—it’s a chance to prove his growth as a fighter and reaffirm his individuality. Facing a fellow grappler in Bryce Mitchell, he’s promised fans a more versatile and complete performance.

For Rickson, watching from the sidelines is an exercise in trust and hope. “Maybe the moment of Kron now is that he really wants to feel like Kron Gracie,” Rickson said. “He does not want to feel the son of Helio Gracie. He wants to have his victories, his merits, his training, and his strategies. I respect this… maybe in the future we can interact and talk about the past. For now, he is serious in his mission, and I am respecting this.”

As Kron steps into the cage this weekend, the weight of his family’s legacy will always be with him. Yet, his determination to carve his own identity signals a new chapter—not just for himself, but for the Gracie name in MMA.

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