Issue 133
October 2015
The man behind Modern Family’s grumpy patriarch Jay Pritchett breaks down a life grappling with the Gracies, holding a BJJ black belt and being a fan of ‘The Notorious’
Q&A
Q: You’ve trained BJJ under UFC founder Rorion Gracie. How special is the bond between you?
A: When I started, Royce had just won the first UFC (1993). When you roll with somebody for that length of time you develop a certain level of understanding and brotherhood. You don’t try to hurt each other. You have a lot of fun and a lot of laughs. It’s a different kind of relationship that develops from any other. Those kinds of bonds are very strong. You go through things with them. There’s a certain level of deeper understanding.
Q: What was it like watching the next generation of Gracies grow up before your eyes?
A: Rorion used to bring the kids in when they were little. I can especially remember rolling with Rener once. Rorion was sitting and watching and he said: “Ed, take it easy, he’s a little kid.” I was p**sed off. I felt like I was going easy. Sometimes when you outweigh a kid by 100lb you have to be more careful. I thought I was being careful a few weeks ago when I put my elbow into Rorion’s ribcage and hurt the cartilage in his ribs. It was careless.
Q: How does your love of BJJ extend to MMA and the UFC?
A: I always watch it. I enjoy it. I don’t miss them. I watch all of them and I admire the athletes involved tremendously. I think they’re great. It’s always fun to watch. You have to understand when you watch this thing, it’s very close to a real fight. They train like crazy.
Q: How does your love of BJJ extend to MMA and the UFC?
A: I always watch it. I enjoy it. I don’t miss them. I watch all of them and I admire the athletes involved tremendously. I think they’re great. It’s always fun to watch. You have to understand when you watch this thing, it’s very close to a real fight. They train like crazy.
Q: Today’s UFC is very different from Rorion’s original vision. What do you make of it?
A: There’s still a referee that can determine they’re on the ground too long, and can stand them up. It’s interesting to note they rarely put them back down (on the mat). That tells you they favor striking, the punchers and kickers. You see two f**king wrestlers walking around that don’t want to wrestle. They want to box. They stay standing the whole fight. Sometimes the fight becomes very boring.
Q: Who do you enjoy watching most?
A: I enjoy this Irish kid (Conor McGregor). I think he could tone it down a bit but I see what he’s doing. I like how he fights. He’s very smart and he’s very close to Jon Jones, who I don’t like. Jones is long and tall and strong and can go a number of ways. He’s not much of a puncher... He couldn’t break an egg. This Irish kid looks like he could be a boxer. I enjoy how he manages distance and sets things up.
Q: Do you think McGregor can beat José Aldo?
A: I think he would knock José Aldo out – and I’m a huge fan of Aldo. But Aldo has shown some weakness in recent fights, like the fight against Chad Mendes, who looks like a Tyrannosaurus rex. How could he reach Aldo with those shots? But he did. Aldo has a great side kick but Conor is southpaw so that gets taken away automatically in the stance. You’re going to have to come up with something else to get to McGregor. If this Irishman hits him he will go. He’s huge for that weight class. He’s young, he has the whole thing. I really like him.
Q: Which other mixed martial artists do you admire?
A: I like (Fabricio) Werdum a lot. I know Lyoto Machida. He trains with Rener. I like Jake Ellenberger a lot. He’s a good puncher, cauliflower ears. I really like Jake. I hate to single anybody out – I like so many of the guys. .
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