Gracing his presence

Jiu-Jitsu might seem violent to some people, but in reality, it’s all about using leverage and not harming your opponent.

At least for Royce Gracie, the first Ultimate Fighting Champion, it is.

"I try not to get hurt. That’s the main thing," he said.

The first thing he does before training for a fight is to stop traveling. For now, however, with the next fight tentatively scheduled for sometime next summer, he’s traveling at breakneck speed. As usual, he’s traveling for six months out of the year.

One of his recent visits was to Garcia’s Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, a Gracie network affiliate here in Brownsville. It has grown considerably since it first opened three years ago. It has gone from having around 10 students to now having about 40 and even opening a class for women.

Part of the draw may be the fact that even a "small" guy can use leverage to defeat a bigger opponent.

Just ask Gracie.

"That’s what impresses everybody (that) somebody my size, average size 180 pounds (and 6-feet-1) can beat up somebody like Akebono (6-8 sumo wrestler)," Gracie said. "It’s (Jiu-Jitsu) different than boxing. You have to know what you’re doing (and) use the right leverage."

Part of the reason that Gracie is so successful (13-2-2 record according to his Web site www.roycegracie.tv) might be his confidence.

"Tell me what’s impossible and I’ll prove it (is possible) to you," he added. "Tell me what I cannot do and I’ll prove (to) you I can do it. I’m a competitive person."

Talk about an understatement.

Gracie says that in a perfect world, he wouldn’t be a fighter. So why fight?

"Because I know what I’m doing," he said. "I might as well be the best."