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The UFC was co-founded by the Gracie family as a way to showcase their Jiu-Jitsu technique. Many of the early contestants were cans (was Royce really good enough to fight 3 solid opponents a night, each outweighing him by 50 pounds). Due to the "no holds barred", the UFC quickly devolved into a blood sport banned in almost every state. Today, after it's purchase and by renewal by Zuffa, it has widly popular (and becoming more popular than boxing), is shown regularly on basic cable and is enjoying great commercial success. Now some people may complain that it is less "pure" than in it's early days, but I would argue it has really matured as a mainstream sport

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good for bill jacks

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Royce gracie is the best pound per pound fighter in the world to watch him in 89' and 91' fight with guys 295 pounds 6ft.5" and then again 312 pounds 6ft.4" ( of pure muscle )was something to watch ( gracie is 5ft11 " tall and at that time 181 pounds since then he is been gaining some pounds it was like David and Goliath and Goliath with all the weapons in an close cage ( octagon ) man I never saw anything like it and probably never will ; Gracie you are the man are you still alive ??

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Matt Hughes beat Gracie like a step-child. "Theez eez my house I beelt it"-Gracie. If that's true, Hughes burnt it down baby!

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Hey dude, Royce did not get that pulverized by Matt Hughes. It was one of those fights where he underestimated his opponent and made little mistakes that snowballed. It was actually pretty intense. He caught Matt with a devastating elbow before he was taken down, I dunno if you saw it. It really could have gone the other way if He wasn't put in a back mount. His overall record speaks for itself. And his discipline is good.

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Did we all forget that Royce Gracie tested positive for steroids? Great discipline. I'm sure Helio was thrilled when he learned that bit of news.

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I know one guy in his "prime" that would have destroyed any of the Gracie's, and that would have been Gene LeBell. The Gracie's challenged Gene when he was in his 60's. How come they didn't challenge him when he was in his 30's or 40's? I'll tell you why, because they would have gotten destroyed and embarrassed while in the process. They waited until he was in his 60's. He accepted the challenge to fight someone closest to his own age, and of course they all backed down. LOL!!!! Gene in his prime would have destroyed all these guys in the UFC. Royce Gracie=Steroids.LOL!!

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