Royce Gracie: 'Put me in any card and I'll sell it out'

by Jesse Holland on Jul 11, 2009 3:56 PM EDT

Quoteworthy:

"Brock Lesnar? Been there, done that. Bring him on. St-Pierre? I'm a prize fighter. Put me in any card and I'll sell it out. I can do it, man. You tell me what's impossible and I'll prove you wrong. Our entire country's name was built on that fighting style. If I had doubts, I would've never walked into the ring. I'm expensive, but I'll fill seats -- 97,000 a few years ago in Japan. People want to see me."

Brazilian jiu-jitsu pioneer Royce Gracie (14-3-3) talks about having an itch to compete at the highest level despite his current state of inactivity. While the 'Godfather of the UFC' explains his 'itch' is currently suppressed, he's confident that he could hang with any of today's elite fighters -- and sell out a venue in the process. Gracie hasn't competed since a unanimous decision win over longtime foe and PRIDE FC fixture Kazushi Sakuraba at K-1 Heroes Dynamite in June 2007 -- an event that saw him later test positive for Nandrolone. Prior to that he was planished by UFC welterweight Matt Hughes at UFC 60 in 2006 in a bout where he didn't look even remotely competitive. Does the UFC legend still have the goods? Or has Father Time submitted the man who started it all?

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Sounds like someone is behind on his mortgage payment.

by Collin on Jul 11, 2009 3:59 PM EDT reply actions

Collin,

-Truth

by SoCalStunNa on Jul 11, 2009 4:28 PM EDT up reply actions

EXACTLY!! Or, at least he smells the money….

by DJ on Jul 11, 2009 6:59 PM EDT up reply actions

I don’t want to see your wrinkly old a$$.

by Lester The Pimp on Jul 11, 2009 3:59 PM EDT reply actions

Sounds like someone’s having nostalgia.

by broncos12405 on Jul 11, 2009 4:00 PM EDT reply actions

Old legends die hard. I can’t be too tough on him. I’m sure it isn’t easy watching the sport explode in popularity, with fighters now becoming wealthy celebrities, especially being the guy responsible for exposing a mass audience to MMA and the UFC. Also bare in mind part of his mentality is what we hear all the time from fighters long past their prime, or past greats from other sports as well. Bowing out gracefully (pardon the pun) is the exception rather than the norm. I do not, however, want to see Royce back in the cage.

by CL on Jul 11, 2009 4:36 PM EDT up reply actions

I would have to say Gracie’s past in the UFC has been better for Gracie Jujitsu than for the UFC. Yeah he won UFC 1 but he did not build the sport. There was also the other people like Ken (who also won’t quit lol) and Dan The Beast, Tank and so on…

by Edgecrusher71 on Jul 11, 2009 6:09 PM EDT up reply actions

Exactly my point. Given that the UFC began when the origonal owner/promoter financed the standing bet the Gracie family had, to prove at that time Gracie JJ was the “superior” method of MMA. For Royce, mission accomplished at UFC 1-2. I’ve always believed it’s bugged the Gracie family, and Royce in particular, that the UFC is now a juggernaut and they are essentially on the sideline. While bigger personalities did sell the sport, I understand (part) of the sentiment coming from Gracie. Not saying I agree with most of it, but I understand where it’s coming from.

by CL on Jul 11, 2009 7:22 PM EDT up reply actions

He was good for the sport, but he needs to know when to shut the hell up and retire gracefully.

by jayshogun on Jul 11, 2009 4:01 PM EDT reply actions

He may be captain irrelevant now, but I do remember all the people (celebs) in attendance at 60 picking him to win. He also is right, he can fill an arena on name alone!

by kevin on Jul 11, 2009 4:01 PM EDT reply actions

Very True!

BUT

Brock would MURDER him, GSP would CLOWN him and anyone in their respective division that’s top 10 would beat him!

by SoCalStunNa on Jul 11, 2009 4:29 PM EDT up reply actions

I have no desire in seeing Gracie fight in the UFC ever again, but yeah he would probably still be a big draw because casual fans hear his name and come running. Its an absolute Joke for him to call out Brock…If they ever fought, we would be burying Royce 3 days later!

by JOhn G on Jul 11, 2009 7:33 PM EDT up reply actions

Yeah, because you put on such a good show against Hughes.

by Slap Nuts on Jul 11, 2009 4:01 PM EDT reply actions

I think those two comments about wrapped it up…

by allamerican on Jul 11, 2009 4:01 PM EDT reply actions

Father time has submitted the man who started it all.

by Rod of Asclepius on Jul 11, 2009 4:04 PM EDT reply actions

Unfortunately, his time has come. Stick to the ADCC …

by DownUnder on Jul 11, 2009 4:04 PM EDT reply actions

he would get destroyed here too. The only gracie that can be competitive in mma and adcc as of now is Roger

by kukuxumusu on Jul 11, 2009 6:28 PM EDT up reply actions

did he just call out GSP? Royce is losing his mind GSP will eat him alive he might even submit the old timer!

by will on Jul 11, 2009 4:10 PM EDT reply actions

Sad.

by ZULU on Jul 11, 2009 4:10 PM EDT reply actions

Sorry mate, your old hat

by Ermac on Jul 11, 2009 4:13 PM EDT reply actions

Him and Tito should hook up and see who can make the stupidest comment.

by Owen on Jul 11, 2009 4:22 PM EDT reply actions

I think he got lost in translation a little bit. He’s not calling out Lesnar and GSP…he’s just stating that he’d sell more seats then them.

Considering he has fought in front of nearly 100,000 people in Japan…he’s right…so far anyway.

by introvert on Jul 11, 2009 4:26 PM EDT reply actions

I think he still has the goods. His fight wiht Hughes was fixed. He could still beat anyone on any given day and I’d still pay to watch him. Always keep in mind before you insult Royce that there would be no UFC if not for Royce.

by xxBAxx816 on Jul 11, 2009 4:27 PM EDT reply actions

yea royce put like 2 mill on hughes before their fight and then took a dive so he could collect..and what does him playing part in the birth of the ufc have to do with how he would fair against brock and gsp? nothing

by HellaHectic on Jul 11, 2009 4:39 PM EDT up reply actions

he didnt say he could beat todays elite fighters…he just said he could sell out the card..

he didnt say he could beat brock or gsp, he just said bring them on and he’ll fill seats…

when he says “been there done that” when hes talking about brock im not exactly sure who he feels hes beaten in his past that is equal to beating brock now…

next he’ll call out anderson and machida too

by HellaHectic on Jul 11, 2009 4:35 PM EDT reply actions

i have a feeling hes gonna end up fighting pat miletich

by jmere05 on Jul 11, 2009 4:42 PM EDT up reply actions

nah, he wouldnt call them out because they’re Brazilians too.

by allamerican on Jul 11, 2009 5:08 PM EDT up reply actions

He must be comparing Brock to Dan Severn.

He would have to drop down to 155 to get a fight in the UFC that anyone might think would be remotely competitive against a top 5 guy.

GSP’s name should not be mentioned after getting mauled by Hughes. If he wants to fight at WW he should be given the most recent TUF winner and see if he can handle him.

by revjames13 on Jul 11, 2009 4:50 PM EDT reply actions

No disrespect to Royce, though. He is the original UFC Champ and always will be. I just think it would have been better if he never came back and fought Hughes, then we could always have imagined “what if.”

I’d rather see Renzo Gracie make a UFC run.

by revjames13 on Jul 11, 2009 4:52 PM EDT reply actions

I don’t like this guy anymore. :(

by natas on Jul 11, 2009 4:59 PM EDT reply actions

He can’t hang with today’s top fighters, and the debacle against Hughes proved that. What Royce ought to do is lower his sights and compete against older legends like Pat Miletich or Shonie Carter, etc. Those would make for interesting, evenly matched fights. No one wants to see Royce get beat at his own game by the top WWs. 40 years old = 40 years old, and nothing can change that for him. Royce needs to be realistic.

by Fred on Jul 11, 2009 5:00 PM EDT reply actions

WAR GRACIE!!!

by Crackbaby on Jul 11, 2009 5:08 PM EDT reply actions

hughes maulled royce. no disrespect but he’s full of him self.

by 36chamberz on Jul 11, 2009 5:09 PM EDT reply actions

There might be a market for a masters or “legends” league. Must be over 40. There are a number of guys that are near 40 or even above that are still world class. Obviously, Couture is the king of not just older mma athletes, but all athletes, considering how well he is performing at 45.

But for guys nearing 40, Dan Henderson comes to mind as another outstanding example. Interesting that they are from the same camp. Imagine how well Chuck Liddell would do in the over 40 league, considering that he is 39.

You could probably come up with about 25 name fighters that are near or over 40 for a “legends league.” The rest would be guys that got into the sport late and want to compete against former superstars.

by revjames13 on Jul 11, 2009 5:13 PM EDT reply actions

Nah, it would suck. Just like the paralympics, no one would be interested. With that being said I have nothing against those kinds of institutions or whatever you wanna call them, but their purpose is more about personal triumph than fan fare.

by Kobajack on Jul 11, 2009 10:22 PM EDT up reply actions

gsp and lesnar would rape him

and yes, he does sell tickets, idk why
he should just stay where hes at

by spawned-fighter on Jul 11, 2009 5:16 PM EDT reply actions

I dont think he can beat any of those names he mentioned. But yeah, people would still pay to see him fight. I like Royce, just hope he wont fight again coz I dont want to see him badly hurt. You are a legend, just let this generation do their thing

by big_evil on Jul 11, 2009 5:19 PM EDT reply actions

If the UFC wants to expand to Japan, you could do worse than to actually book GSP v. Royce Gracie. After GSP beat Gracie into unconsciousness he’s have great name recognition in the country.

by TheIlluminati on Jul 11, 2009 5:28 PM EDT reply actions

Would have liked to see a legends match in UFC 100 for old times sake. Gracie/Shamrock rematch would have been interesting as Gracie handed Shammy his A$$ in the first match, but in the rematch (Superfight) if there had been judges Shammy would have won that one. Just a thought! Please Royce, stay retired.

by Rob on Jul 11, 2009 5:29 PM EDT reply actions

Holy fuck, are you guys on glue? Read his quote…he’s not calling anyone out…jesus h.

by introvert on Jul 11, 2009 5:50 PM EDT reply actions

Yes he could sell out almost any event.
It turns my stomach to hear you so called MMA fans bash the first true legend of the UFC.
Do I think Royce could be even competetive in todays UFC…No, but to not give him the respect he more than deserves..is disgraceful.
I choose to remember Royce for opening the worlds eyes to Gracie JJ and fighting.
Thats why he’ll always be a favorite to millions of fight fans.

by Couchchamp on Jul 11, 2009 5:52 PM EDT reply actions

Royce isn’t hanging off Dana’s sack with these guys…you can’t help them, they’re too far gone.

by introvert on Jul 11, 2009 6:31 PM EDT up reply actions

Are you telling me that I’m disgraceful because I don’t respect steroid users?

by Greggo on Jul 11, 2009 10:14 PM EDT up reply actions

royce—-learn how to box and wrestle….then i’ll pay money to see your old a$$ fight.

by lefthook187 on Jul 11, 2009 5:54 PM EDT reply actions

C’mon Mania wheres my post

by Couchchamp on Jul 11, 2009 5:55 PM EDT reply actions

http://www.tsn.ca/boxing/story/?id=284455

Sad, sad day today.

RIP Arturo

by introvert on Jul 11, 2009 6:22 PM EDT reply actions

you know, i think that about 90% percent of the people that comment in here are complete idiots and have absolutely no ability to comprehend what they read. of course royce would get donkey stomped by lesnar or gsp, but for the love of god man, read the story carefully. all he was saying is that he would outsell them. and for all those people out there who say royce didn’t build the foundation for the success of the ufc should go have their mommies change their diapers. this man fought the fight the way it was meant to be fought, 15 straight minutes, 3 fight tournament style ass whooping 101. name 1 ass clown today that could do it not only once but twice!! give the man some respect!! mr. mcnic

by mcnic on Jul 11, 2009 7:26 PM EDT reply actions

I think it’s pointless to compare the early days to the current sport because it’s evolved, it’s different. But what Royce did was remarkable and should be respected.

However, it’s not that he’s calling them out, it’s his cocky attitude, which I presume would irk people.

“Brock Lesnar? Been there, done that. Bring him on. St-Pierre? I’m a prize fighter.”

Been there, done that? Yeah, he may not be calling him out but he’s pretty much dismissing him as a threat, so what’s the difference?

But I like him and will always respect him for his accomplishments but I fear the “Gracie Delusion” could strike him like it did his brother (who seems to be an out and out exaggerator and once claimed he could kick the current fighters’ butts.)

by Kobajack on Jul 11, 2009 10:29 PM EDT up reply actions

Wow, he is in his own world if he thinks he could last for a minute with Brock Lesner.

by jigga4713 on Jul 11, 2009 10:31 PM EDT reply actions

again case in point jigga4713, what a brilliant conclusion! you amaze me with your prediction!! you sir are clearly one of the 90% of people who comment in here who is an ass clown!!

by mcnic on Jul 12, 2009 11:20 AM EDT reply actions

If you guys would go to the full article from the LA Times, you would see that his interview was not solely about being able to sell seats. He stated:
“My favorite fighters are St-Pierre and [middleweight champ] Anderson Silva because they use strategy, they know how to use this,” he said, pointing to his head.
If that’s not proof that he DOES have respect for the fighters who hang onto the true Martial Arts respect (that Lesnar so obviously and annoyingly lacks) and can see their talent as both entertainment and from the perspective of a master of the art, then maybe MMA really is losing it’s credibility….or at least the true fans of the art aren’t coming to this site for their facts! The full article also quotes Royce admitting that the sport is now athlete vs athlete rather than style vs style, and when his family created UFC (yes folks, the Gracie family CREATED UFC) it was with the intention of prefecting each style and fight one round after another until someone gave up or went to sleep. So of course he is likely frustrated with how it has morphed, but can appreciate those with talent who continue to show respect to the ring and to their opponents (not just the SPONSORS!) I admit, I was one of those standing and clapping until my hands were sore when I saw him in the crowd last night. He is a legend, a talented man, and I am grateful for what he has done for the sport and all the fighters who’ve come after him. Look at the response to this blog! People ARE interested in him! Of course he would sell seats! Besides, show some respect for DANA! He’s not going to through weightclass to the wind and pair Royce with Lesnar. Let’s just wait and see what the UFC has in store for Royce. Personally I’d like to see him as a coach on The Ultimate Fighter!

by cait54 on Jul 12, 2009 6:56 PM EDT reply actions