I kind of chuckle, because I came in to MMA with UFC I.
I remember buying all the Gracie Video Tapes, with Rorion going on-and-on about "The Gracie Dynasty."
There is no more "Gracie Dynasty," only martial arts instructors in dojo's these days.
They had a good thing going, and their influence is unmistakable. However, as athletes, they're basically nothing (with a few exceptions).
They were basically bullies, but they did open the entire martial arts world to ground grappling. However, their striking is so bad, their standup is so outdated, that they cannot compete with just their "system."
The truth is there are better men, and better athletes all over the world — and, contrary to their dogma, and elite striker can knock the daylights out of a grappler, when they learn enough anti-grappling to keep things on their feet.
I'd say, right now, Khabib's Dagestanian mix of combat-Sambo, judo, and wrestling is the most perfect "style" right now today. However, Khabib is also a specimen for this style, and not everyone can implement it.
This is why professionals have A TEAM of coaches now, teaching more than one style, and tailoring specific teaching to each unique student. The Gracie's belief that "their style" is the best is a thing of the past.
In fact, other than Oliviera, almost no one uses guard-based BJJ anymore.
In today's advanced understanding of MMA, some combination of wrestling, Muay Thai, boxing, and domineering grappling styles (not passive grappling styles) are required to win, tailored to the individual's unique talents.
