Perhaps the most decorated family in martial arts history, the Gracie’s left a permanent mark over many decades with their family style of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. But like all martial art styles, they weren’t unbeatable so let’s take a look at the Top 5 Gracie losses of all time.
5) Royce Gracie vs. Matt Hughes
Now a UFC Hall of Famer with his influence cemented in martial arts history, UFC tournament champion Royce Gracie returned to the Octagon eleven years after his last appearance to take on the welterweight champ Matt Hughes in a non-title bout in 2006.
Now much older stepping into an arena with a completely different rule set, it became apparent the sport has changed. Hughes had no problem out grappling the UFC legend, going as far as hyper-extending Gracie’s arm in a straight arm-bar but unable to get the tap. Hughes then switched to back mount to get a TKO victory in the first round.
Hughes had no problem out grappling the UFC legend, going as far as hyper-extending Gracie’s arm in a straight arm-bar but unable to get the tap. Hughes then switched to back mount to get a TKO victory in the first round.
4) Royler Gracie vs. Eddie Bravo
This next upset didn’t occur in an MMA/NHB fight, but in the grappling arena at the 2003 ADCC tournament.
Competing in the 145lb division, a heavily favored Royler Gracie took on then brown belt Eddie Bravo in the quarter finals of the tournament where in a stunning upset Eddie Bravo submitted Royler Gracie by way of triangle choke. In the aftermath, Eddie Bravo was awarded his black belt from Jean Jacques Machado.
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The two of them re-matched in 2014 in the main event of Metamoris with the outcome being declared a draw after twenty minutes.
3) Royler Gracie vs. Kazushi Sakuraba
November 21st, 1999 at Pride 8, Kazushi Sakuraba began the long documented rivalry against the Gracie family when he was matched up against Helio Gracie’s son; Royler Gracie.
Sakuraba spent a majority of the rounds defending Royler’s takedown attempts and punishing him with strikes to prevent any opportunities to fight on the ground. But with the match nearing its end Sakuraba then engaged Royler on the ground, snagging his right arm and wrenching a kimura until breaking point prompting a controversial referee stoppage.
This would mark the first professional Gracie defeat in decades and a Japanese superstar was born
2) Helio Gracie vs. Masahiko Kimura
One of the co-founders of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, the legendary Grandmaster Helio Gracie’s most famous match came against Japanese judo legend Masahiko Kimura.
Outweighed by almost 80lbs, Helio took on Masahiko in front of 20,000 people in his native Brazil in a submission only match. For a majority of the bout, he got thrown around by the Judoka like a ragdoll while avoiding any submissions in a valiant display.
Eventually, with Helio getting tired as the fight went on, he was caught in a shoulder lock, breaking his arm which prompted his corner to throw in the towel giving Masahiko the victory.
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This shoulder lock would of course then be known as the ‘Kimura lock’ in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.
Interestingly 48 years later, Japanese catch wrestler Kazushi Sakuraba would repeat this finish on Helio’s son; Royler Gracie.
1) Kazushi Sakuraba vs. Royce Gracie
Fresh off his submission victory over Royler Gracie, the Japanese star entered the 2000 Pride Grand Prix and met UFC tournament champion Royce Gracie in the quarterfinals, who himself was looking to redeem the family name against Sakuraba.
Per the request of the Gracie family, the matchup was to be contested with unlimited fifteen-minute rounds and no referee stoppages with the bout only ending by way of submission or knockout.
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Royce and Sakuraba fought for ninety minutes (six rounds), with ‘The Gracie Hunter’ getting the upper hand due to his superior wrestling, conditioning, striking technique and even using Royce’s trademark gi against him. These factors would eventually prompt Royce’s corner to throw in the towel at the end of the sixth round giving Sakuraba the victory.
Author: Nic is a designer and illustrator alongside being a martial arts enthusiast. You can find some of his illustrative work for purchase here.
