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'They don’t take Sundays off,' UFC Pioneer Royce Gracie reveals the reason for the success of Dagestani MMA fighters

Originally posted on FirstSportz
By Safeer Marottickal Sakeer | Last updated 5/16/24

At the beginning of the UFC, Royce Gracie was the best. After all, he won three tournament-style open-weight UFC tournaments. He only weighed around 170lbs at the time. Following his path, many Brazilians became big stars in the UFC. Recently, fighters from Russia, especially Dagestan, have become a force to be reckoned with. Gracie revealed why it is so on Joe Rogan Experience .

On JRE, Joe Rogan and Gracie delved into the evolution of MMA and the global impact of the sport. During the conversation, Rogan said fighters from Dagestan are some of the best fighters right now in MMA. The comedian/commentator attributed their success to their wrestling. However, Gracie didn’t think so. He revealed the real reason why fighters from Dagestan are having success.

I don't think it's just because of their wrestling; I think it's because of their discipline...That's all they do: get up, train, sleep, eat, train. So yeah, they don't think about anything else. They're just more, I think, disciplined than this side of the world... they don't take Sundays off. Royce Gracie via JRE

Gracie stated discipline is the reason for their success and not because they are better strikers or wrestlers. He even stated that America has some of the best wrestlers in the world, but they don’t have the discipline of their Dagestani counterparts.

Gracie revealed he had a mindset similar to that of the fighters from Dagestan. Unlike his contemporaries, Gracie had no interest in a party lifestyle. Therefore, he was fully able to concentrate on BJJ. Rogan revealed that Gordon Ryan is one such guy in the USA and Gracie only had great things to say about him.

Joe Rogan and Royce Gracie speaks about Gordon Ryan on JRE

Gordon Ryan is now the best BJJ grappler in the world. In no-gi BJJ, he is arguably the best. Gracie only has respect for Ryan as he revealed on JRE the time he rolled with Ryan on the mats. For Gracie, it was a hilarious experience

Due to respect, Ryan never caught Gracie in any submission. Gracie realized this and offered several opportunities to the younger man, but he never used them. Moreover, Joe Rogan stated Ryan is one of the hardest workers he has seen.

That guy [Gordon Ryan] works out 365 days a year. There's no Christmas, Christmas f**k you, your birthday f**k you. Every day they train, every day. Joe Rogan via JRE

Gordon Ryan and Royce Gracie are a perfect example of proper flow rolling etiquette pic.twitter.com/dr0IJWp5Jj
— BJJotter (@JiujitsuOtter) February 20, 2024

Ryan has even rolled with UFC GOAT Jon Jones who stated he was the best. Moreover, he also had a feud with the controversial Dillon Danis. During his early days, Danis was one of Ryan’s fiercest rivals. However, Ryan improved significantly while Danis embroiled himself in controversies and is now not an active BJJ grappler.

This article first appeared on FirstSportz and was syndicated with permission.

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