Who Is Royce Gracie? Age, Biography and Wiki
Born on December 12, 1966, Royce Gracie is currently 58 years old. He emerged as a pioneering figure in the Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) landscape, particularly known for his performance in the first few Ultimate Fighting Championships (UFC). Gracie, a member of the illustrious Gracie family, inherited a rich legacy in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ), which he showcased to the world through his UFC victories.
For more information on his biography, you can check his Wikipedia page.
| Occupation | Martial Artist |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | December 12, 1966 |
| Age | 58 Years |
| Birth Place | Rio de Janeiro, Brazil |
| Horoscope | Sagittarius |
| Country | Brazil |
Popularity
Royce Gracie's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
Royce Gracie stands at a height of approximately 6 feet (183 cm) and weighs around 180 pounds (82 kg). His athletic build reflects years of rigorous training in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and MMA, contributing to his success in the ring.
Gracie entered the tournament wearing his now iconic Brazilian jiu-jitsu gi. In his first match, Gracie defeated journeyman boxer Art Jimmerson. He tackled him to the ground using a baiana (morote-gari or double-leg) and obtained the dominant "mounted" position. Mounted and with only one free arm, Jimmerson conceded defeat.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
While Royce Gracie has been private about his personal life, he has been married twice and has a total of five children. As of 2025, there is no public information available about a new girlfriend or partner. His past relationships have been marked by mutual respect and a dedication to fostering a stable environment for their children.
One of the nine sons of jiu-jitsu grandmaster Hélio Gracie, he learned the martial art from his father in his childhood. He had his first competition at age 8 and started teaching classes when he was 14 years old. When he was 17, Royce was awarded a black belt by his father, Hélio.
A few months later, he and his brothers Royler and Rickson Gracie moved to Torrance, California, to live with their older brother Rorion Gracie, who had moved there in 1978 and had established Gracie Academy.
Net Worth and Salary
As of 2025, Royce Gracie's net worth is estimated to be around $10 million. This remarkable fortune has been accumulated through his successful MMA career, speaking engagements, and business ventures, including a line of martial arts schools and instructional videos. Gracie's expertise and fame have allowed him to garner lucrative sponsorships and endorsements, further boosting his earnings.
Gracie's final tournament bout was against Dan Severn, a former Pan American freestyle wrestling gold medalist. Severn dominated the fight, securing takedowns and maintaining top control throwing ground and pound for nearly fifteen minutes.
However Gracie eventually managed to secure a triangle choke for the submission victory at 15:49 of round one. The match extended beyond the pay-per-view time slot and viewers, who missed the end of the fight, demanded their money back.
Career, Business, and Investments
Royce Gracie's career took off in the early 1990s when he won three out of the first four UFC tournaments. His innovative techniques and strategies have influenced countless fighters and continue to be a foundation for modern MMA training.
In addition to his fighting career, Gracie has ventured into various business opportunities, including the establishment of his BJJ academies worldwide. His teachings emphasize the importance of discipline and technique, which many practitioners and aspiring fighters seek.
In 1993 and 1994, Gracie was the tournament winner of UFC 1, UFC 2 and UFC 4, which were openweight single-elimination tournaments with minimal rules. He used his skills in submission grappling to defeat larger and heavier opponents.
He was also known for his rivalry with Ken Shamrock, whom he beat in UFC 1 and then fought to a draw in the rematch for the Superfight Championship at UFC 5.
Royce later competed in PRIDE Fighting Championships, where he is most remembered for his 90-minute bout against catch wrestler Kazushi Sakuraba in 2000, and a controversial "judo vs jiu-jitsu" mixed rules match against Hidehiko Yoshida, an Olympic gold medalist in judo, at PRIDE Shockwave in 2002.
Social Network
Royce Gracie is an active figure on social media platforms, engaging with fans and fellow martial artists. He regularly shares insights into his life, training tips, and motivational messages through his official accounts on platforms like Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook. This presence allows him not just to connect with his supporters but also to promote the values of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu globally.
Royce Gracie entered UFC 3 now as twice-champion and as the favorite to win. The number of fighters was scaled down back to eight like the first edition. Royce was matched up in the first round against Kimo Leopoldo, a representative of Taekwondo and former high school wrestler.
Leopoldo used his wrestling background to dominate the grappling exchanges, denying several of Gracie's takedowns and even took his back. As both men began to tire, Gracie held down Leopoldo by grabbing onto his pony tail, eventually submitting him with an armbar at 4:40 of round one.
However, he withdrew from his next fight with Harold Howard before it began due to exhaustion and dehydration. Royce entered the ring and threw in the towel. This was the first event which Gracie did not win.
Education
Royce Gracie was educated within his influential family, which placed a strong emphasis on martial arts. He trained under his father, Hélio Gracie, and other family members, soaking up their vast knowledge of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu from an early age. While there is little public information on any formal education beyond martial arts, Royce's teachings reflect a profound understanding of both the physical and mental aspects of combat sports.
On June 14, 2007, the California State Athletic Commission declared that Gracie had tested positive for Nandrolone, an anabolic steroid, after his fight with Sakuraba.
According to the California State Athletic Commission, the average person could produce about 2 ng/ml of Nandrolone, while an athlete following "rigorous physical exercise" could have a level of around 6 ng/ml.
Both "A" and "B" test samples provided by Gracie "had a level of over 50 ng/ml and we were informed that the level itself was so elevated that it would not register on the laboratory's calibrator," said the CSAC.
Gracie was fined $2,500 (the maximum penalty the commission can impose) and suspended for the remainder of his license, which ended on May 30, 2008. Gracie paid the fine.
