28 March 2024

Thursday, 20:06

EXPERT OPINION

Legendary athlete Royce Gracie: “Azerbaijan has truly amazed me. You are successful in all sports”

Author:

01.08.2018

The legendary mixed martial arts fighter Royce Gracie visited Baku. The famous master of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is in the UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship) Hall of Fame and is considered one of the most influential figures in the history of mixed martial arts, MMA. Royce Gracie has become famous since the first years of UFC. Victories over strong rivals brought him fame and glory. Prominent by his height and weight, Royce Gracie has not only become a pioneer of UFC, but also won the title of absolute champion three times in a row.

During a four-day visit to Baku, the sport star held a seminar at the Taekwondo Federation of Azerbaijan and held a number of meetings. Despite his tight schedule, Mr. Gracie spared some time for an exclusive interview with our magazine.

First, we'd like to know about the purpose of your visit to Azerbaijan...

I was invited by the Godzilla promotion group to visit Azerbaijan for four days. Not having enough information about your country, I could not answer right away. I agreed only after a while. In principle, I do not like getting information from the Internet because sometimes it is biased. Therefore, I contacted my friends who had visited Azerbaijan before. I heard many kind words about your country and athletes.

So, the main purpose of your visit was to get acquainted with Azerbaijan?

That was one of the reasons. I am thinking about opening a martial arts academy in Baku in the future. In Brazil, I have a school for combat Jiu-Jitsu. More precisely, this is a family school, since the Gracies are considered the founders of jujitsu in Brazil. We brought unique ways into jujitsu, philosophy and way of thinking.

Acquaintance with Azerbaijan amazed me. You are successful in all sports. But I feel a special approach to martial arts. We have some plans. In the future, it is possible to open a school in Baku, and conduct competitions.

What kind of competitions?

It is possible to hold a prestigious tournament Bellator in Baku. Currently, negotiations are under way. But there are a number of requirements. I believe that this prestigious competition can be organized at the highest level in Azerbaijan.

UFC 25 years ago and today… How did this competition change the world sport as a whole?

It’s a very interesting question. In 1993, an organization called UFC decided to hold one competition. Just one. The competition aroused so much interest that it was decided to hold one more tournament. Founders of the UFC have seen an increasing interest since then. Influential TV channels have expressed their desire to invest a lot of money in the organization of broadcasts. After a cycle of competitions, the UFC has become a brand that organizes famous battles. Not every athlete can participate in these competitions. UFC invites only the experienced ones. Participants get a chance to earn big money. The UFC also promotes competition among various sports. Everyone is interested to know the winner – a boxer or a judoka. In other words, spectators want to see in the ring the strongest athletes of various martial arts.

Many changes have taken place during these 25 years. I would even say dramatic changes. At that time fighting was without any rules. Now certain rules apply. Some tricks are forbidden. In addition, UFC is now considered a prestigious brand. Achievements in this competitions pave way to the future of athletes. They attract not only big money, but also great attention and interest around the world.

You have repeatedly become a champion of the UFC tournaments. In addition, you have made history by writing your name as the first winner. Which factor played a decisive role in your victories?

I became a champion at the first competition held in 1993 defeating three athletes. The first victory is always remembered. The victory in such a prestigious tournament as the UFC changed my life. After this success, I also secured my future. Today I conduct seminars in different countries, supervise the activities of my Jiu-Jitsu Academy. I do not plan leaving the sport. The main role in my victories belongs to my character. I really wanted to win. My subtle jujitsu style was a headache for my rivals. The athlete who is in possession of this martial art is capable of defeating both the boxer and judoka.

Who is the strongest athlete in the UFC now?

It’s hard to say. The strongest is the winner. In different periods, there were different champions. In the first years, Brazilian athletes were the best. As the popularity of UFC is increasing, athletes from all over the world are striving to become champions.

If you fought now, could you become a UFC champion again?

Where do you get such difficult questions? It is difficult to answer unequivocally. I would strive to become a winner in any era. Each period has its own rules. Any athlete must have a character. It is difficult to become a championship without a character. Even when I was injured, I was thinking not of injury, but of my rival. Only one result was important for me inside the ring – victory! Sport is very developed now. Treating injuries is much easier now. Medicine has gone far ahead. 20-25 years ago, minor injuries left athletes behind the competition for 2-3 months. We did not shy away from fighting even with injuries. Winning makes you forget about the pain.

What is your impression about Azerbaijan after this visit?

I believe that I will visit Azerbaijan again. I’m amazed by the interest in martial arts. During the visit, I organized a seminar for athletes. They were more than expected. As a result, the seminar ended an hour later. This made me very happy. After all, they understood me. Memories of your country will be the most pleasant.

What is necessary for training UFC fighters in Azerbaijan?

You have made progress in various sports. I would like to see an Azerbaijani fighter in the UFC in the future. If our academy operates in Baku, we will train fighters capable of defending the country's sports honour at these prestigious competitions.

Seizing this opportunity, I would like to thank everyone for the attention paid to me in these four days. I wish success to your magazine as well.

Thank you.

 

 

The prestigious martial arts championship of mixed martial arts, UFC, was founded in 1993. According to the idea, it had to be held only once. However, huge interest in the four-hour tournament prompted a series of fighting events. Over time, the UFC sponsorship agreements were concluded with the world's leading companies, and a fight at this championship has become a dream of every fighter. Now UFC competitions are broadcasted to 130 countries with translation in 20 languages.


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