This weekend, undefeated welterweight fighter Neiman Gracie will be the first member of his family to compete inside the hallowed walls of Madison Square Garden at Bellator 180. But more than two decades ago, his uncle Royce first made history by introducing the art of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu to America, and eventually, to the entire world.
Royce Gracie broke into sudden mainstream superstardom during the inaugural UFC event in 1993, where he became the first company champion. He went on compete in the next four tournaments, before deciding to instead fight in Japan under the Pride organization in 2000.
On September 9th, 1994 at UFC 3, Gracie was matched up against Tae Kwon Do practitioner Kimo Leopoldo. While Royce’s primary objective was to further demonstrate the brilliance of his family’s art, Kimo was apparently on a mission to “bring the Gospel of Jesus Christ throughout the whole world.”
Leopoldo ended up being embarrassed that night, which was also his professional fighting debut. Gracie, meanwhile, decided to withdraw from the tournament after the fight.
Here is a quick throwback to the time of the Gracie train, hair pulling, and elaborate walk-ins involving wooden crosses.