Royce Gracie recently shared his thoughts on how the martial art has evolved while still maintaining its core principles. In a wide-ranging interview, Gracie reflected on BJJ’s growth from niche self-defense system to mainstream combat sport.
Speaking on the Shark Coast Tactical podcast, Gracie discussed how combining Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu with firearms training provides a more comprehensive approach to self-defense beyond just sport or competition.
Gracie emphasized the importance of staying true to jiu-jitsu’s self-defense roots, even as the competitive landscape has changed dramatically. “It’s a self-defense art,” he noted. “I’m not going after to beat them up. I’m walking in not to lose.”
At the same time, Gracie sees value in some modern training methods that incorporate more realistic scenarios. He expressed interest in drills where practitioners fight for control of a training gun or knife, saying it “adds a little more of a realistic [element]” compared to point-based sport BJJ.
“A lot of people train today for point systems,” Gracie observed. “When you put a knife or a gun in the middle of the room we got to fight for it, it changes. Now it’s what works, what doesn’t.”
Gracie also stressed the need for BJJ practitioners to embody martial virtues beyond just technical skill. “You can be the best fighter in the world, but then if you’re an a**oholic, I don’t want my kid learning from somebody like that,” he said. “Every day be the best of you, be the best that you can be at everything.”
