Last Friday (05), Roger Gracie , 10x black belt world Jiu-Jitsu champion Roger Gracie TKO’d James McSweeney with a kick at One FC.
This was Roger’s first ever knockout victory. So far he has gotten 5 submissions out of his 7 MMA wins.
He has been training his striking for the past few years with his boxing coach in the UK and also with Ernesto Hoost in Holland.
At the moment, Roger is back in Brazil to enjoy a family vacation. The fighter intends to return to the One FC cage in March or April to show that his evolution standing did not stop there.
In an interview with Tatame, he talked about his improved striking:
“I was sometimes in the Netherlands to train with Ernesto Hoost (world champion K-1). My boxing coach is also very good, the best in England. I’m training for five months with him. I see my progress in training. I have done sparring with pro boxers and I’m very comfortable to exchange with them.’
“It’s hard to say (if I liked the feeling of knockout). I would be happier if I had submitted. I was happy with my progress with striking, but would have rather liked winning using Jiu-Jitsu. The Jiu-Jitsu will always be my flagship. Regardless of anything, the floor will always be my area. I’ll never be as good in another area as I am on the ground. “
Photo credit donlitratos on Instagram and Rogergracieacademy
