UFC legend Ken Shamrock recently discussed his relationship with former rival Royce Gracie, offering his perspective on how it changed. Shamrock addressed their three bouts, as well as the respect he has for what Gracie did for the sport.
The MMA pioneers first met at the inaugural UFC event, a one-night tournament designed to determine the superior fighting style. Shamrock, a reigning Pancrase champion at the time, was confident he would dominate. However, he was matched up with Gracie in the semifinals and was submitted.
They met again at UFC 5 to crown the inaugural Superfight champion. Despite an improved performance by Shamrock, the fight ended in a draw, leaving their rivalry unsettled.
Shamrock and Gracie met one final time at Bellator 149 in 2016. The Brazilian earned a 1st round TKO. However, there was some controversy, as he landed an accidental low blow before the finish.
Shamrock shared that he has a much better relationship with Gracie post-career, based on his respect for him. He also revealed that he has had a great rapport with Gracie’s brother, Rorian.
“I respect Royce [Gracie], I really do. What [his family] did for us was amazing. They gave us a sport that was second to none,” Shamrock told The Unyielding Spirit. “[MMA] is a sport for people who want to fight.”
Ken Shamrock Reveals One Unresolved Issue with Royce Gracie
Although they are on better terms, Ken Shamrock revealed there is still one unresolved issue with Royce Gracie. It is based on Gracie’s interpretation on what unfolded in their rematch and trilogy bouts.
Shamrock feels that Gracie never gave him credit for getting the better of him in their UFC 5 main event. Instead, he believes the Brazilian used the time-limit draw to support his argument that he was the better fighter.
“He would never give me the credit for what we did in our second fight. It was always like, ‘Well, yeah, you were bigger. You should have been able to just beat me.’ And that it was a draw.” Shamrock told The Unyielding Spirit. “Even if he didn’t want to admit any of that, but just saying, ‘Hey, great fight.’ Because I’ve always said, ‘Hey, good job.’ He would never do that and it just felt like a slap in the face.”
In their trilogy, Shamrock believes Gracie should have acknowledged the accidental groin strike rather than celebrating the win.
“I want to give him the benefit of the doubt, but it’s hard for me to think when you’re in a clinch and you throw a knee that you can’t control where it lands,” Shamrock said. “I have a relationship with him and we talk, and we’re good, but there’s that thing in between us.”
Shamrock Praises Gracie
Shamrock also praised Gracie putting his family’s jiu-jitsu on the map. The Brazilian proved that his style was effective by submitting all three of his opponents to win the one-night tournament.
Shamrock said that Gracie wasn’t the strongest fighter in his family, which he viewed as a testament to their jiu-jitsu.
“It was genius and the confidence that you had to have with Royce to be able to go in there and beat all these guys that would rip your eyes out,” Shamrock told The Unyielding Spirit. “You bring in Royce Gracie instead of Rickson or Rorian because no, [he wasn’t the best one in the family]. It was literally this style these guys had presented over the years, which was truly self defense.”
UFC Legend Ken Shamrock Opens Up About His Relationship with Rival Royce Gracie