Would a modern fighter that is considered a "stand up specialist" beat Royce Gracie in a pure grappling match?

[BrockLesnarsTurtleBack]

I'm thinking a fighter like Conor McGregor, Cyrill Gane or Alex Pereira. You may think this is a stupid question, but think about this: BJJ and its training have evolved tremendously since the early 1990s. All of the fighters today still train with top level coaches with access to knowledge and techniques that didn't exist 30 years ago. And while these guys may not look like world beaters against modern competition, when you put them up against a literal novice on the ground (like Gracie was facing), they suddenly look like Gordon Ryan. Look at McGregor sparring MMA with a boxer, doing basically whatever he wants with him.

 

[Pierced7681]

Royce can still go on the mats, but it really depends on the ruleset and whether it’s gi or no gi

 

[Ludwig von Mises]

Prime Royce would tap a lot guys fighting in MMA today.

So would Sakuraba and so would Frank.

 

[mjoln]

Royce was like modern blue belt I believe.

 

[UFCFantasyMVP]

Nope. Royce is like a base set Charizard. If you're giving him a favorable stylistic matchup, like a Meganium, it would be tough to, forget win, but survive.

I'm a modern day purple belt, with a 20 pound weight advantage, who's 24 years younger, but I'm fairly certain Royce would tap me out within 3 five minute rounds. I love Conor and he is a black belt, but I'd bet big money on Royce, actually. But apparently Alex is a black belt, so he's probably miles above the other 2 examples you gave, but he still has a lot of questions to answer about his grappling, so gun to head, I'd probably pick Royce. (If I had to choose one in a 2024 grappling match)

 

[World eater]

Why would a stand up specialist fight a bjj guy in a grappling match? Would a bjj guy fight a submission grappler in a kickboxing match?

 

[Simple Southerner]

The best scenario would be get one of those guys you mentioned & put him against Royce back then

 

[13Seconds]

Would a modern BJJ specialist like Paul Craig beat Maurice Smith in a kickboxing match?

 

[RichardHarrow]

Would a modern BJJ specialist like Paul Craig beat Maurice Smith in a kickboxing match?

 

[Hellowhosthat]

Royce was like modern blue belt I believe.

Nah, purple at worst.

 

[Pierced7681]

Nah, purple at worst.

At worst? Royce has probably been a black belt longer than you’ve been alive.

 

[Hellowhosthat]

At worst? Royce has probably been a black belt longer than you’ve been alive.

The question was what standard would UFC 1 Royce be now.

 

[Pierced7681]

Nope. Royce is like a base set Charizard. If you're giving him a favorable stylistic matchup, like a Meganium, it would be tough to, forget win, but survive.

I'm a modern day purple belt, with a 20 pound weight advantage, who's 24 years younger, but I'm fairly certain Royce would tap me out within 3 five minute rounds. I love Conor and he is a black belt, but I'd bet big money on Royce, actually. But apparently Alex is a black belt, so he's probably miles above the other 2 examples you gave, but he still has a lot of questions to answer about his grappling, so gun to head, I'd probably pick Royce. (If I had to choose one in a 2024 grappling match)

Poatan would be an interesting matchup for Royce actually. What’s the weight? I’m assuming Alex would likely have to be under 185 lbs with a same day weigh in as that’s how jits matches are normally held. Royce usually walks around 180 but maybe he’d be willing to give up 5 lbs and say 185 is ok. If Royce is ok with the weight, can Alex compete and look good without rehydrating? I’d bet on Royce personally. He’d play guard and I don’t see Alex getting past his legs or putting him in any dangerous positions. Royce would eventually gas him out and then get the sub, probably armbar or rnc.

 

[Pierced7681]

The question was what standard would UFC 1 Royce be now.

UFC 1 Royce was a black belt, and he’s still a black belt today in Gracie jiujitsu…

 

[Pierced7681]

Royce was like modern blue belt I believe.

Royce doesn’t train sport jiu jitsu, he’s a black belt in Gracie Jiu Jitsu which is quite different

 

[UFCFantasyMVP]

At worst? Royce has probably been a black belt longer than you’ve been alive.

I interpreted that to mean he'd be AT LEAST a purple belt today. And I agree. There are people that have gotten their blue belt after a year of training, but not one of them would submit Royce. Idc how big they are.

 

[Pierced7681]

I interpreted that to mean he'd be AT LEAST a purple belt today. And I agree. There are people that have gotten their blue belt after a year of training, but not one of them would submit Royce. Idc how big they are.

Royce doesn’t train sport jiu jitsu tho, he’s strictly Gracie Jiu Jitsu, and he’s been a black belt in it forever.

 

[Nova44]

UFC 1 Royce was a black belt, and he’s still a black belt today in Gracie jiujitsu…

I think you're missing the point. Every type of JJ has evolved tremendously since Royce competed in UFC, so the guys here are saying his skill set from back then wouldn't be black belt level now, which is true. Nobody is dunking on Royce, it's just that JJ has evolved at a rapid pace.