Great lessons from Royce in can’t-miss interview
Carlos Eduardo Ozório
June 22, 2011 from graciemag.com
Mario Filho training with Royce / Photo: personal archive
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Royce Gracie was featured in the latest episode of Brazil’s “Sensei Sportv” television program. Interviewed by black belt and reporter Mario Filho, the Gracie addressed retirement, his desire to have one last battle, Matt Hughes, Renzo, the new Gracies coming up the ranks, and he opened up about what a Royce Gracie fight purse is like.
From so many impactful statements, one can derive valuable lessons from a man who has represented Jiu-Jitsu for decades and made the style recognized worldwide. To watch the full program (in Portuguese), click here.
Here are a few excerpts from the show:
“I only listen to my coaches, who I want to listen to. The others don’t matter to me.”
“I may still fight, I just don’t know when.”
“It’s about time for me to stop and I have my sights on one opponent.”
“It would be great to fight at home, in Brazil, where it all began.”
“Matt Hughes in the octagon in Rio would be ideal. He’s the one I’m after.”
“In that fight with him I’d gone overboard in training. Dad told me: “That’s a mistake.”
“If I could, I’d only eat fruit.”
“I’ve been doing Jiu-Jitsu for 44 years. I always kept my mind open to other styles but just to know what I may be up against. I’m not going to learn wrestling to try and take down Matt Hughes.”
“Renzo is really valiant and has what it takes to face him again. Renzo’s said before: ‘When one falls, we already have another at the top in the running.’ There are a lot of Gracies coming up.”
“There’s no time or place for Renzo. He’ll fight MMA one week and compete at the ADCC the next. He’s done that before.”
“MMA? You practice a martial art. Nogueira’s done Jiu-Jitsu his whole life, but that doesn’t mean he doesn’t complement that with boxing. Now if I go and train MMA, what does that mean? Training MMA is Kimbo Slice. Can he stand and bang with a boxer? No. Can he put up a good fight on the ground? No. He’s a tough guy, but he’s not good. MMA isn’t a martial art. You have to have somewhere you come from, you have to know an art.”
“Dana White knows what I’m worth; he knows what I bring to the table. Yes, my fight purse has seven digits!”
