UFC fighter Kron Gracie details the ‘pressure’ he faces while representing his family’s legendary name

Kron GracieThe name Gracie is synonymous with combat sports. Over the last few decades, names like Royce Gracie, Renzo Gracie,…

Kron Gracie

The name Gracie is synonymous with combat sports.

Over the last few decades, names like Royce Gracie, Renzo Gracie, and Roger Gracie have left their mark in both Brazilian jiu-jitsu and MMA. But, understandably, every aspiring fighter who carries the legendary last name won’t reach the same level of success that his elders have.

That’s precisely where Kron Gracie finds himself. As the son of jiu-jitsu legend Rickson Gracie, he had some mighty big shoes to fill. And for the most part, he succeeded. Kron Gracie is a former IBJJF and ADCC world champion as well as a one-time Performance of the Night and Fight of the Night winner in the UFC. Unfortunately, his career inside the Octagon failed to live up to the hype that came with his name.

After winning four straight fights, most of which were under the RIZIN banner, Kron Gracie moved to the UFC where he earned a first-round submission over Alex Caceres via RNC. He came back seven months primed to keep his undefeated streak alive but suffered a unanimous decision loss to Cub Swanson. That prompted him to take the next four years off.

He returned in May 2023 and delivered a lackluster performance against Charles Jourdain that resulted in his second loss in a row.

Speaking about his iconic name in a video on his YouTube channel, Kron Gracie detailed the pressures that came with being a Gracie as well as the evolution of martial arts. Specifically, the need to master more than one discipline to be successful in today’s fight game.

“It was a lot pressure to have the Gracie name, growing up,” Kron said. “I was always able to trick myself into not letting it affect me so much. My dad was, like, the best fighter in the world. As a kid, that’s what you want to be like. You want to be like the best in the world. If I wasn’t trying to be the best in the world, I was, like, worthless. It’s always been my future. Why shouldn’t I be better than him?

“Growing up, it was all about jiu-jitsu. Everybody did jiu-jitsu to fight. Jiu-jitsu to prove they can beat up a boxer or beat up a wrestler. You’re trying to prove yourself to prove your martial art. Now, it’s merged into a way where you can’t just be good at one martial art and be very successful against everybody who’s at the highest level.

“My dad doesn’t understand that. My grandfather wouldn’t understand that. This generation is already completely different. I think the martial arts is like your own molding. Martial arts, for me, is jiu-jitsu, boxing, and judo. When I say I’m a martial artist is because I built my own formula and I appreciate all the martial arts” (h/t Bloody Elbow).

It remains to be seen if Kron Gracie will climb back inside the Octagon anytime soon or if his MMA days are truly over. Though 35 years old, he only has seven total fights under his belt (5-2). With a limited number of miles on his body, it’s possible that he could come back for a few more fights, should he be interested in testing his mettle on the biggest stages in mixed martial arts once again.

Kron Gracie addresses criticizm of UFC 288 performance: ‘I was trying to please the Jiu-Jitsu community’

Kron Gracie UFC 288 lacklustre performance trying to please Jiu-Jitsu communityUFC featherweight grappler, Kron Gracie has addressed criticizm and flak thrown his way following his recent one-sided unanimous decision loss to Charles Jourdain at UFC 288 earlier this month – claiming “bad advice” led to his lacklustre outing.  Snapping a lenghty three year hiatus from professional mixed martial arts competition earlier this month at UFC […]

Kron Gracie UFC 288 lacklustre performance trying to please Jiu-Jitsu community

UFC featherweight grappler, Kron Gracie has addressed criticizm and flak thrown his way following his recent one-sided unanimous decision loss to Charles Jourdain at UFC 288 earlier this month – claiming “bad advice” led to his lacklustre outing. 

Snapping a lenghty three year hiatus from professional mixed martial arts competition earlier this month at UFC 288 in Newark, New Jersey – Gracie suffered his second consecutive Octagon defeat at the hands of Canadian striker, Charles Jourdain, in a one-sided unanimous decision loss.

In a much analysed and critiqued performance, Gracie was blasted by UFC president Dana White, who claimed his viewing his performance as like going back in time to mixed martial arts viewing in 1995. 

Kron Gracie had entered the UFC boasting an undefeated 4-0 professional record

Embarking on a five-fight undefeated run prior to his two back-to-back losses, including an Octagon debut win over Alex Caceres where he turned in a first round rear-naked choke submission win, Gracie had landed successive submission wins over Asen Yamamoto, Hideo Tokoro, and Tatsuya Kawajiri under the banner of Rizin FF prior to his UFC move. 

However, claiming “bad advice” led to his disappointing performance against Jourdain in his pay-per-view event return, Gracie also claimed that he was just trying to “please the Jiu-Jitsu community” with his grappling-heavy approach at UFC 288.

“In a lifetime of fighting, it’s always been a fight to the death,” Kron Gracie posted on his Instagram Stories. “Understand the situation and willing to limit myself, even that being said I threw no punches because of bad advice and tried to please the Jiu-Jitsu community two days before my fight.”

“First fight in my life I didn’t throw a punch, going back to my old ways,” Kron Gracie explained. 

A decorated Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu grappler, Gracie landed gold at the 2013 ADCC World Championship in Beijing, China. 

Charles Jourdain earns unanimous decision over Kron Gracie in uneventful matchup – UFC 288 Highlights

Kron GracieOn Saturday night, Kron Gracie made his first appearance inside the Octagon at UFC 288. Looking to score his first win in the UFC banner, Gracie was matched up with Canadian standout Charles Jourdain. Gracie came out with a predictable game plan; get the fight to the ground. That turned out to be much more […]

Kron Gracie

On Saturday night, Kron Gracie made his first appearance inside the Octagon at UFC 288. Looking to score his first win in the UFC banner, Gracie was matched up with Canadian standout Charles Jourdain.

Gracie came out with a predictable game plan; get the fight to the ground. That turned out to be much more difficult than expected for the Brazilian submission machine. As Gracie plodded forward looking to close the distance, Jourdain regularly lit him up with a series of solid strikes, targeting the head and body equally.

However, Gracie was able to routinely close the distance, opting to pull guard instead of searching for a takedown. Once he had Jourdain in his guard, Gracie offered little offense, simply content to hold position. Each time he was taken down to the mat, Jourdain was eventually able to work his way back up where he continued to dominate on the feet. After three rounds of fairly uneventful action, we went to the judges for a decision.

Official Result: Charles Jourdain def. Kron Gracie via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

Check Out Highlights From Kron Gracie vs. Charles Jourdain at UFC 288 Below:

Video – Kron Gracie in no mood to deal with Henry Cejudo’s cringe during UFC 288 poster signing, leaves

Henry CejudoFormer two-division champion Henry Cejudo had an interesting incident with Kron Gracie during a UFC 288 poster signing session. Fight week can be a very stressful time for fighters. In addition to grueling weight cuts for some, the obligation to participate in interviews, open workouts, and press conferences can cause some real agitation. That was […]

Henry Cejudo

Former two-division champion Henry Cejudo had an interesting incident with Kron Gracie during a UFC 288 poster signing session.

Fight week can be a very stressful time for fighters. In addition to grueling weight cuts for some, the obligation to participate in interviews, open workouts, and press conferences can cause some real agitation. That was apparently on display as Henry Cejudo arrived to sign posters alongside Kron Gracie. Both men are scheduled to take part in Saturday’s festivities with ‘Triple C’ stepping into the main event spotlight once again for a UFC bantamweight title tilt opposite reigning champion Aljamain Sterling.

Captured by UFC Embedded and shared on Twitter by Combat Sports Today, Kron Gracie was clearly in no mood to deal with Henry Cejudo’s classic cringe.

Cejudo: Is Nate coming?

Gracie: No, it’s his kid’s birthday.

Cejudo: Oh ya (laughs). Nate. God, I’m good looking (as Cejudo signs more posters)

Graice: When he’s done, let me know.

Cejudo: Nah, he said when I’m done. Is he mad at me?

UFC staffer: I think you are taking too long.

Cejudo: Me?

Henry Cejudo Ready to Resume His Reign Over the Bantamweight Division

Henry Cejudo was quick to dismiss the negative vibes coming from Gracie, suggesting that the featherweight standout was likely having a difficult time cutting weight for his main card contest with Charles Jourdain. Earning three-straight wins under the RIZIN banner, Gracie first appeared with the UFC in 2019 and scored a first-round submission victory over Alex Caceres. Eight months later, he would suffer a unanimous decision defeat against Cub Swanson in what would be his first and only career loss thus far.

Nearly four years removed from his last appearance inside the Octagon, Gracie returns to resume his mixed martial arts career against Canadian standout Charles Jourdain.

As for Henry Cejudo, the Olympic gold medalist is back for his first fight in three years. Capturing both the UFC bantamweight and featherweight championships, ‘Triple C’ successfully defended the former against division staple Dominick Cruz at UFC 249. Following his second round knockout of ‘The Dominator’, Cejudo officially hung up his gloves, vacating both titles in the process.

36 months later, Henry Cejudo is back and ready to resume his reign at the top of the 135-pound division.

Transcription courtesy of BJPenn.com

Report – Kron Gracie makes Octagon return, fights Charles Jourdain at UFC 288 on May 6.

Kron Gracie UFC 288 Charles JourdainSidelined from active competition for over three and a half years, featherweight grappling ace, Kron Gracie – the son of Rickson Gracie, and grandson of Helio Gracie, has booked his first Octagon walk since 2019, drawing Charles Jourdain at UFC 288 on May 6. The pay-per-view event is scheduled to take place at the Prudential […]

Kron Gracie UFC 288 Charles Jourdain

Sidelined from active competition for over three and a half years, featherweight grappling ace, Kron Gracie – the son of Rickson Gracie, and grandson of Helio Gracie, has booked his first Octagon walk since 2019, drawing Charles Jourdain at UFC 288 on May 6. The pay-per-view event is scheduled to take place at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey

Gracie, who boasts a 5-1 professional mixed martial arts record, last featured at UFC Fight Night Tampa back in October 2019 against Cub Swanson, suffering the first loss of his professional career in a unanimous decision defeat.

Kron Gracie last fought professionally in 2019

Booking a return against Canadian fan-favorite, Jourdain, the Canadian most recently suffered a unanimous decision loss to Nathaniel Wood at UFC Fight Night Paris back in September of last year. MMA Junkie reporter, Nolan King was first to report the news of Kron Gracie’s Octagon comeback. 

“Kron Gracie (5-1) i is back for the first time since October 2019,” King tweeted. “He will fight May 6. vs. Charles Jourdain (13-6-1) at #UFC288 in Newark, per promotion officials.” 

Making his UFC debut back in February of that year at UFC Fight Night Phoenix, Gracie managed to secure an impressive submission win over Alex Caceres, stopping the veteran featherweight with a first round rear-naked choke. The victory earned Gracie a Performance of the Night bonus. 

Featuring at the Rizin FF World Grand Prix back in 2016, Gracie submitted Octagon alum, Tatsuya Kawajiri with another rear-naked choke. And over the course of his six-fight professional career, the 34-year-old Rio de Janeiro grappler had lodged an impressive 100 percent finish rate – notching submissions in each of his wins.

A black belt in both Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Judo, Gracie has drawn allegiance with former UFC lightweight title challenger, Nate Diaz – becoming a vital and forefront part of the Stockton favorite’s training camps.

Kron Gracie’s MMA Future Remains Uncertain According To Father

Kron Gracie hasn’t fought in the UFC in more than two years, and it’s unclear when he’ll return after his first professional MMA loss to Cub Swanson.

Kron’s father, Rickson is arguably one of the greatest Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu practitioners as part o…

Kron Gracie

Kron Gracie hasn’t fought in the UFC in more than two years, and it’s unclear when he’ll return after his first professional MMA loss to Cub Swanson.

Kron’s father, Rickson is arguably one of the greatest Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu practitioners as part of the famous Gracie legacy. Rickson has been a mainstay in Kron’s corner during his professional MMA career.

Kron followed up an impressive UFC debut against Alex Caceres with a disappointing loss to Swanson. While he had his moments throughout the fight, Swanson proved to be the more experienced MMA fighter and earned a unanimous decision victory.

Things seemed tense between the father-son duo following the loss to Swanson. Rickson was frustrated with the lack of adjustments that Kron made in the fight overall. Following the bout, Swanson had advised Kron to humble himself in the face of defeat.

During a recent interview with MMA Fighting, Rickson provided an update on Kron’s status in the sport and potential return to the Octagon.

“Right now we’re giving each other some space, you know?” Rickson said when asked about Kron. “We had some small arguments and now he’s moved to Montana, he’s with his new gym there, he’s training. I don’t know exactly what his plans are for MMA, but I root for him.

“I know he has great potential, not only as a fighter but also as a great teacher, a great man. I’m rooting for him, and I’m also curious, like everybody else, to know what he’ll do next.” (h/t Bloody Elbow)

Before signing with the UFC, Kron had enjoyed success in Rizin and Real Fight Championship, earning four-straight submission wins. His loss to Swanson was the first time in his MMA career that a fight of his had gone the distance.

The 33-year-old featherweight has also previously worked with Nick and Nate Diaz in California to prepare for his MMA fights. It’s unclear if Kron intends on training with the Diaz brothers for an eventual return.

Living up to the Gracie tradition in MMA has proven not to be an easy feat for Kron, and it’s unclear if he’ll return to the Octagon for a chance at redemption.

Do you think Kron Gracie will eventually return to the UFC/MMA?

Continue Reading Kron Gracie’s MMA Future Remains Uncertain According To Father at MMA News.