Royce Gracie

Royce Gracie (b. 1966) was the figure who introduced Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu to the world stage. Chosen to represent the family in the inaugural Ultimate Fighting Championship in 1993, Royce used BJJ to defeat larger opponents in front of a global audience, winning three of the first four UFC tournaments.

His victories showcased the effectiveness of BJJ against other martial arts, sparking worldwide interest and leading to the martial art’s explosive growth. To this day, Royce remains one of the most recognizable names in BJJ and MMA history.