By Guilherme Cruz

Photo FEG courtesy

The biggest star of UFC’s first editions, Royce Gracie was the most responsible of the Jiu-Jitsu spreading at the United States, dominating the opponents in the first Ultimate tournaments. Fifteen years later, the black belt sees the work done by Demian Maia at the event, putting the gentle art in the first place and submitting five out of five opponents in the octagon.

"Demian Maia is f... good. The guy is really good at submissions, knows how to enter the clinch, knows how to take down, fights from the guard, it isn’t just staying down and striking, you have to know how to defend yourself and he’s doing that very well", praises Royce, watching the Jiu-Jistu in action also in the other divisions of the event. "I'm a fan of (Rodrigo) Nogueira too, I like him, I like the guys who are on top: Lyoto, Anderson, GSP, who fights clean and takes the opponent completely out of his game", said Royce, in the exclusive interview to TATAME Magazine’s June edition.