Royce Gracie was born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and is one of nine children, seven of whom are boys. His training in Jiu-Jitsu began at a very early age as a game with his father Helio. He never pushed any of the children to take formal classes until they wanted to do so. However, they often went to the Academy in Rio after school and on weekends.Royce began competing in tournaments at age eight. He received his blue belt at age 16 and was promoted to black belt in less than two years. Royce moved to the United States at age 18 to live with his brother, Rorion. They began teaching private classes out of their garage, sometimes for more than ten hours a day.  Together they opened the Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Academy in Torrance, California.r

Royce’s reputable career as a fighter began in 1993 after defeating three opponents in the first Ultimate Fighting Championship in Denver, Colorado. His brother Rorion came up with this innovative challenge as a way to show Gracie Jiu-Jitsu to the world. Discipline after discipline was defeated by the slight 6’1”, 180 pound Royce Gracie.  The viewers were in awe. His opponents consistently outweighed him by more than 50 pounds. He went on to win 3 UFC titles and today is the only man in the history of no holds barred matches to successfully defeat four opponents in one night.  After leaving the UFC, Royce went on to compete in MMA events in Japan and is a huge icon in this country.

Royce holds the record for the longest MMA match in history: 90 minutes against Japanese superstar Kazushi Sakuraba in PRIDE Grand PRIX 2000. He also showed total domination of the Olympic Judo Gold Medalist Hidehiko Yoshida.  His largest opponent was Sumo Grand Champion Akebono at 6′ 8″ 486lbs. Royce vs. Akebono was the main event of K-1 Premium Dynamite New Years Eve show on New Year’s Eve in 2004. Royce defeated the giant in just 2 minutes and 13 seconds with a shoulder lock.  Royce’s continued success has opened the eyes of many disbelievers to the importance of leverage and technique in grappling. In November of 2003, Royce Gracie was the first fighter to be inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame along with fellow UFC veteran Ken Shamrock.  Since then Royce’s face has been seen on countless martial arts magazines such as Black Belt, Inside MMA and Tapout.  

He has also been featured in Men’s Health and Fitness, GQ and continues to give magazine and radio interviews.  His recognition spans the globe to include fans on almost every continent.  In 2014 Royce was named one of the 50 Greatest Athletes in the World by Sports Illustrated. Today Royce is privileged to spread the techniques perfected by his father all over the world. Throughout his busy fighting career Royce has maintained a rigorous travel schedule of seminars and classes.  He currently oversees  more than 55 U.S. and international Royce Gracie Jiu-jitsu Networks.  The techniques of Gracie Jiu-jitsu have become mainstream in most martial arts dojos.  Fighters everywhere are racing to learn and implement this jiu-jitsu in their training regimen. His list of students is enormous. Royce has taught many of the big screen greats like Chuck Norris, Ed O’Neal, Guy Ritchie, Jim Carrey, Josh Duhamel and Nicholas Cage. He has also been very active with the CIA, FBI, DEA, Secret Service, Army Rangers, Army Special Forces, Navy Seals, and many sheriff and police departments.  His G.R.A.C.I.E. course for law enforcement has gained international recognition. Aside from teaching at his Networks across the United States, he regularly visits Brazil, Canada, England, Scotland, Portugal, Spain, Israel, Australia, UAE, and many other countries across the globe. He maintains an impressive training regimen, which includes running, weight training, cross training, meditation and countless hours of Gracie Jiu-Jitsu. He is a full time professional athlete who eagerly awaits his next challenge. In Royce’s own words, “Go ahead, tell me what I can’t do!”

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Nestled along the picturesque shores of Puget Sound, Tacoma, Washington, is a vibrant city known for its rich cultural scene, stunning natural beauty, and dynamic urban atmosphere. Visitors can explore the iconic Museum of Glass, marvel at the intricate Chihuly Bridge of Glass, and delve into the region's history at the Washington State History Museum. Nature enthusiasts will appreciate the scenic waterfront parks, hiking trails, and proximity to Mount Rainier. With its diverse culinary offerings, unique shops, and lively arts community, Tacoma offers a delightful blend of adventure and relaxation for every traveler.