Born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on December 12, 1966, Royce Gracie is one the nine sons of the ‘Godfather of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu’, Hélio Gracie, and the younger brother of Rorion Gracie, co-founder of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ), also known as Gracie Jiu-Jitsu (GJJ), is martial art based on the principal that, by applying correct technique, leverage and pressure, a smaller, weaker person can overcome a larger, stronger opponent. As such, BJJ focuses largely on ground-based, close-contact moves, such as choke holds, joint locks and sweeps, with the intention of achieving a dominant position and forcing an opponent into submission.
The early, pioneering days of the UFC featured ‘no holds barred’ contests with no weight classes so, keen to promote the virtues of BJJ, Rorion Gracie recruited his younger brother, Royce – who had been a black belt practitioner since the age of 17 – to maintain the family honour because of his relatively slight physique. Relecting on his decision, Rorion Gracie said later, ‘…I picked Royce is because he’s a tiny, skinny guy, and that would prove that jiu-jitsu is a better martial art no matter who you’re fighting.’
Royce Gracie stood 6’0″ tall and weighed in at 180lb, or 12st 12lb, so to call him ‘a tiny, skinny guy’ was stretching the point a little, but it would be fair to say that Rorion Gracie proved to be a shrewd judge. Royce Gradie won the first three of the first four UFC elimination tournaments, retrospectively named ‘UFC 1: The Beginning’, ‘UFC 2: No Way Out’ and ‘UFC 4: Revenge of the Warriors’, in 1993 and 1994, and went on to become one of the most influential fighters in mixed martial arts (MMA) history.
The first Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) event, retrospectively renamed ‘UFC 1: The Beginning’, was staged at the now-demolished McNichols Sports Arena in Denver, Colorado on November 12, 1993. Obviously, the franchise has changed beyond recognition since those early, pioneering days of what would become mixed martial arts (MMA) but, in three decades of full-contact combat, the record for the fastest knockout in UFC history stands at five seconds.
That was the twinkling of an eye that it took American Jorge ‘Gamebred’ Masvidal to lay out his opponent, compatriot Ben ‘Funky’ Askren, in a welterweight contest on the main pay-per-view (PPV) card at ‘UFC 239: Jones vs. Santos’ at the T-Mobile Arena in Paradise, Nevada on July 6, 2019. Masvidal, who was, at the time, the number four ranked welterweight, according to UFC, immediately threw a flying knee, which Askren effectively ducked into, rendering himself instantly unconscious. Gratuitously, Masvidal also struck his motionless opponent with two right-hand punches before the referee intervened to save Askren from any further punishment.
At that stage of his career, Masvidal was a 16-year MMA ‘journeyman’, having previously signed for Bellator and Strikeforce before making his UFC debut in April, 2013. However, he was catapulted to stardom, at least for a while, and headlined ‘UFC: Masvidal vs. Diaz’ at Madison Square Garden, New York on November 2, 2019. He beat Nate Diaz by controversial technical knockout on that occasion, winning the celebratory ‘baddest motherf*cker’ belt, but, following a series of defeats, announced his retirement from MMA in April, 2023.
By contrast, Askren, a former Olympic freestyle wrestler, had won welterweight titles in Bellator and One Championship and was undefeated for over a decade before joining UFC, at the age of 34, in March, 2019. However, his UFC career lasted just three fights; after losing his unbeaten record in spectacular style, he fought just once more, unsuccessfully, before announcing his retirement from MMA in November, 2019.
The distinction of being the first boxer to win world titles in six different weight classes is attributed to two legendary fighters: Thomas Hearns and Oscar De La Hoya. Hearns, born in 1958, achieved this remarkable feat between the years 1980 and 1988, while De La Hoya, born in 1973, accomplished it from 1994 to 2007.
Thomas Hearns set the precedent by capturing world titles in six distinct weight classes. His conquests encompassed the welterweight (147 lbs), light middleweight (154 lbs), middleweight (160 lbs), super middleweight (168 lbs), light heavyweight (175 lbs), and cruiserweight (200 lbs) divisions. Although there is a debate surrounding the legitimacy of his cruiserweight title, which was obtained from the WBU—an organisation not affiliated with the four major sanctioning bodies in boxing—Hearns’ advocates argue that his skills and dominance within the cruiserweight division warrant recognition.
Oscar De La Hoya, following in Hearns’ footsteps, claimed world titles across six weight classes during his illustrious career. His triumphs spanned the super featherweight (130 lbs), lightweight (135 lbs), welterweight (147 lbs), light middleweight (154 lbs), middleweight (160 lbs), and super welterweight (154 lbs) divisions. De La Hoya’s accomplishments solidified his status as one of the sport’s most versatile and accomplished fighters.
The achievements of both Hearns and De La Hoya in conquering multiple weight classes demonstrate their exceptional skills, adaptability, and versatility within the ring. While the legitimacy of Hearns’ cruiserweight title may be debated, there is no denying the indelible mark left by these two pugilistic icons in the annals of boxing history. Their remarkable accomplishments continue to inspire and captivate fans worldwide, solidifying their places among the sport’s elite.
The youngest boxer to win a world title in 2022 was Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez. At the age of 22, he achieved this feat by defeating Carlos Cuadras on February 12, 2022, to claim the WBC super flyweight title. He lifted the world title but there was not only this achievement because it placed him as the youngest boxing champion, which is no mean feat.
Every so often, an emerging talent will arise and this is where Rodriguez stands out. He has all the hallmarks of a top quality boxer including power and speed as well as an athleticism that helps him move around the ring with ease. Moreover, his aggressive fighting style and constant pursuit of knockouts have garnered attention and admiration from boxing enthusiasts worldwide.
The fight against Cuadras showcased Rodriguez’s capabilities and further solidified his place among boxing’s elite. Cuadras, a former world champion and highly regarded super flyweight, was expected to present a significant challenge. However, Rodriguez displayed superior boxing skills, outmanoeuvring and eventually wearing down his experienced adversary.
Following his victory, Rodriguez quickly became a recognized name in the boxing community. The super flyweight division has now become widely recognised thanks to the success of Rodriguez. With his dedication, talent, and youth on his side, Rodriguez is poised to make a lasting impact in the super flyweight division and leave a notable legacy in boxing.
Muhammad Ali, formerly known as Cassius Clay, etched his name into Olympic history with a resounding triumph at the 1960 Summer Olympics in Rome, leaving an indelible mark on the boxing world. At a tender age of 18, Ali displayed his exceptional boxing prowess in the electrifying light heavyweight division, seizing the Olympic gold medal and igniting the passion of sports fans worldwide.
The light heavyweight division, tailored for the finest pugilists weighing between 165 and 175 pounds, became the battleground where Ali emerged victorious against all odds. In a stunning upset, he conquered the formidable Zbigniew Pietrzykowski of Poland in a gold medal match that captivated audiences. Despite Pietrzykowski’s reputation as the defending European champion, Ali’s lightning-fast footwork and explosive combinations propelled him to an unforgettable triumph.
Ali’s gold medal victory marked a pivotal turning point in his illustrious career, catapulting him into the dazzling spotlight and captivating boxing enthusiasts around the globe. The Olympic success served as a catalyst, instilling in Ali an unwavering belief in his abilities and igniting a relentless pursuit of greatness within the squared circle.
From the hallowed grounds of Olympic glory, Ali embarked on an extraordinary journey that reshaped the sport of boxing. Armed with boundless charisma, unyielding determination, and a mesmerising display of boxing skills, he ascended to become one of the most revered and influential athletes in history. The Olympic gold medal stood as a mere stepping stone, propelling Ali toward a constellation of remarkable achievements that awaited him.