Friday 12th November 1993 changed Martial Arts forever. The Ultimate Fighting Championship was born and leading the revolution was a man named Royce Gracie. He introduced what became known as Gracie Jiu-Jitsu to the world and between 1993 and 1994 was the tournament winner of UFC 1, UFC 2, UFC 4, and fought to a draw with Ken Shamrock in the championship match in the Superfight at UFC 5. 

Born on 12th December 1966, Royce is member of the famed Gracie family and is considered to be one of the most influential figures in the history of MMA. He brought popularized Gracie Jiu-Jitsu and revolutionized mixed martial arts with his results contributing to the movement towards grappling and ground fighting in the sport.

On November 15, 2013, at UFC 167 on the 20th Anniversary of the UFC, Royce Gracie with MMA journalist Ariel Helwani confirmed he had retired from competing in mixed martial arts.