UFC lightweight contender Beneil Dariush recently sparked conversation with a bold assertion about the evolution of martial arts. In a candid discussion, Dariush claimed that modern-day star Kron Gracie boasts superior jiu-jitsu skills compared to his legendary uncle, Royce Gracie, despite the fan reaction to Kron’s performances.
“Kron has way better jiu-jitsu,” Dariush stated emphatically. “You guys don’t understand, like Royce was very good for his time, but Kron, when he was competing in jiu-jitsu, bro, he was one of the best guys in the world.”
Drawing on his personal experience competing against Kron, Dariush highlighted the significant technical advancements in martial arts over the generations. He underscored Kron’s elite grappling skills and achievements, contrasting them with Royce’s foundational dominance in the early days of MMA.
“I competed against him when I was a brown belt and he was a black belt,” Dariush revealed. “That year I was running through people… and then I finally go against him, and it was the first guy I was like, ‘oh man, like I’m not going to be able to run through this guy.'”
Dariush didn’t hesitate to speculate on a hypothetical matchup between Kron and Royce in their primes. His conclusion?
“Kron would take him down and walk through him… I think Kron would run through Royce back in the day.”
Despite Kron’s recent struggles in MMA, including his loss to Bryce Mitchell at UFC 310, Dariush insisted that Kron’s technical prowess remains formidable.
“Even if he’s a shell of what he used to be, Kron could still beat a lot of guys,” Dariush remarked, though he acknowledged that success often depends on stylistic matchups.
Kron’s grappling pedigree is well-documented. His accomplishments in pure jiu-jitsu include matches against elite competitors such as Buchecha, showcasing his exceptional skills. Dariush’s comments reflect a broader perspective on martial arts’ evolution, suggesting that modern stars like Kron have built upon and surpassed the technical foundations established by pioneers such as Royce Gracie.
While Kron’s jiu-jitsu credentials remain undeniable, his recent MMA performances have attracted criticism. His bout against Bryce Mitchell ended in a third-round knockout, drawing backlash from fans and analysts alike. In response, Kron took to Instagram, writing defiantly:
“They hate us cuz they ain’t us.”
For Dariush, this generational shift is part of the natural progression of the sport.
“The growth gap is huge,” he explained. “Royce was incredible for his era, but martial arts have evolved so much since then.”
This is a controversial point. Keenan Cornelius got quite a bit of backlash for asserting that Rickson Gracie would be at a purple belt level compared to a contemporary BJJ competitor.
Dariush, scheduled to face Renato Moicano at UFC 311 on January 18, 2024, at the Intuit Dome in Los Angeles, continues to be a prominent voice in discussions about the modern MMA landscape. His insights underline the constant evolution of martial arts and the increasing skill levels in every generation.
Respect to any cage fighter – I mean it, as a (low-level) competitor and fan.
But Kron Gracie’s decline is sad.
Prodigious black belt.
ADCC champion.
Upheld the standard of his legendary father, Rickson Gracie.Yet; very much the last samurai in a world discovering gunpowder. pic.twitter.com/awmTmQRjc9
— klein wong (@kleinwong_) December 8, 2024
Gracie reacted to backlash sharing:
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