Issue 147

November 2016

The Brazilian legend considered by many to be one of the most influential figures in the history of mixed martial arts

That’s my boy

Royce’s father is Brazilian jiu-jitsu royalty – one of the sport’s founders, Helio Gracie.

Brotherly love

He has eight siblings: Rickson, Rorion, Relson, Royler, Rolker, Robin, Rerika and Ricci.

Early days

A quick learner, he started training aged eight and took his first classes as teacher aged 14. 

Triple crown

The UFC 1 tournament winner also won UFC 2 and UFC 4, but pulled out of UFC 3 after one fight.  

Mean streak

Royce won all of his 11 fights in those competitions by submission – a feat that has never been matched. 

Endurance test

The 90-minute fight with Kazushi Sakuraba is MMA’s longest, and was his first official defeat.

Nemesis

Wallid Ismail was arguably his biggest rival, and beat him by clock choke in an unofficial fight.

Box office

His Octagon return after 11 years at UFC 60 was its then-top-selling pay-per-view, with 620,000 buys.