Kron Gracie

Kron Gracie
Born (1988-07-11) July 11, 1988 (age 36)
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
ResidenceMontana, United States
NationalityBrazilian / American
Height5 ft 9 in (1.75 m)
Weight145 lb (66 kg; 10.4 st)
Division
Reach70 in (180 cm)
StyleBrazilian Jiu-Jitsu
Fighting out ofLos Angeles, California
Team
Teacher(s)Rickson Gracie
TrainerNate Diaz[2]
Rank
Years active2014–present (MMA)
Mixed martial arts record
Total7
Wins5
By submission5
Losses2
By decision2
Notable relativesGracie Family
Websitewww.krongraciejiujitsu.com
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog
Medal record
Representing  Brazil
Submission Grappling
ADCC World Championship
Bronze medal – third place 2011 Nottingham, UK -77kg
Gold medal – first place 2013 Beijing, China -77 kg
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
World Championship[4]
Silver medal – second place 2011 California, USA -76 kg
European Championship[4]
Gold medal – first place 2009 Lisbon, Portugal -82.3 kg
Pan American Championship[4]
Silver medal – second place 2009 California, USA -82.3 kg
Bronze medal – third place 2012 California, USA -82.3 kg
Bronze medal – third place 2012 California, USA Open Class

Kron Gracie (born July 11, 1988) is a Brazilian and American mixed martial artist, submission grappler, and instructor.

A member of the Gracie family of Brazilian jiu-jitsu, he is the son of 9th deg. BJJ red belt Rickson Gracie and a grandson of BJJ co-founder Hélio Gracie. Training jiu-jitsu from a very young age Gracie became a two-time IBJJF World champion and four-time Pan-American champion before receiving his black belt at the age of 19. By 2008 Gracie held a record of 51 consecutive matches won by submission at high level tournaments. After medalling at the Pan-American championship, Gracie became European champion in 2009, World championship silver medallist in 2011 and in 2013 ADCC Submission Fighting World Champion.

Early life

[edit]

Gracie was born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil the youngest son of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) master Rickson Gracie but lived most of his life in Los Angeles after his father moved to California in 1989. He began his BJJ training under his father as a child, winning his first competition as a yellow belt at the age of ten. Kron is the youngest of four children to Rickson Gracie and grandson of the late Helio Gracie. He has two older sisters Kauan and Kaulin, his older brother Rockson died in 2000.[5]

Brazilian jiu-jitsu career

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2005–2007: First world and Pan Am championships titles

[edit]

At the age of 16, competing as a blue belt in the Adult lightweight division, Gracie won the 2004 IBJJF American National Jiu-Jitsu Championship.[6] After receiving his purple belt Gracie won the 2005 Pan Championship then in 2006, Gracie won both the IBJJF World Championship and the CBJJO World Jiu-Jitsu Cup. Competing in grappling Gracie won the 2006 NAGA Championship in the Adult Lightweight Division. The following year as a brown belt, he became world champion for the second time and Pan American champion for the fourth time winning double gold, in his division and, after defeating Tom DeBlass, in absolute (aka open class).[4] At that point Gracie held a record 51-match submission streak.[7][8]

2008–2010: Black belt, European champion, ADCC medallist

[edit]

In 2008, at the age of 19, Gracie was promoted to black belt by his father a week before the World Championship,[9] however Gracie was submitted by Sergio Moraes in the first match of the middleweight division.[8] In 2009 Gracie won the European Championship after defeating Yan Cabral in the final, a few days after the death of his grandfather, Grandmaster Helio Gracie,[4] he then won silver at the 2009 Pan Championship in the middleweight division after losing by points in the final against Lucas Leite.[10] At the 2009 Abu Dhabi Combat Club (ADCC) grappling competition in Barcelona, the most prestigious grappling tournament in the world, Gracie lost the 77 kilograms (170 lb) Quarter-final after being submitted via mounted guillotine choke by Marcelo Garcia.[11] Two years later Gracie won bronze at 2011 ADCC World after losing again to Marcelo Garcia in a close match after Garcia won by points.[12] Gracie became known as "Ice Cream Kron" due to his calm demeanour when fighting.[13][14]

2011–2013: Superfights, ADCC World champion

[edit]

Gracie won silver at the 2011 World Jiu-Jitsu Championship, in the lightweight division, submitting Leandro Lo then losing 9-2 to Gilbert "Durinho" Burns in the finals.[15] At 2012 Pan Am, competing under Rickson Gracie BJJ team, Gracie won bronze in middleweight and bronze in absolute after losing in the final against ultra heavyweight Marcus "Buchecha" Almeida;[16] that same year he became World Jiu-Jitsu Expo Superfight champion[7] after defeating Victor Estima in a tight match won by advantage at the World Jiu Jitsu Expo in Long Beach, California.[17] In October 2012 Gracie participated in a Gi Superfight at Metamoris 1 in San Diego, submitting Otávio Souza at seventeen minutes of Round 1 by armbar.[18]

In June 2013 Gracie participated in a No-gi Superfight at Metamoris 2 in Los Angeles, defeating Japanese MMA star Shinya Aoki by guillotine choke in seven minutes.[19] In October 2013 Gracie won his division of the ADCC World Championship in Beijing submitting all his opponents including Garry Tonon in the Quarter-final, JT Torres in the Semi-final and Otávio Souza submitted by guillotine choke in the Final.[20][21]

Mixed martial arts career

[edit]

2014–2016: Japanese debut, Rizin Fighting

[edit]

On February 24, 2014, Gracie announced his intention to pursue an MMA career.[22] Gracie chose to cut down weight to compete at 155 pounds (70 kg) instead of his usual 170–180 pounds (77–82 kg) jiu-jitsu and grappling weight class.[23] He started training for his first MMA bout with the California based Scrap Pack,[23] a group of fighters comprising Cesar Gracie Jiu-Jitsu students Gilbert Melendez, Nick and Nate Diaz.[4][24] Gracie made his mixed martial arts debut on December 23, 2014,[25] facing fellow South Korean wrestler Hyung Soo-Kim at Real Fighting Championship: Real 1 at a catch weight of 161 pounds (73 kg).[26] Gracie won the fight via armbar, sixty-five seconds into the first round.[27]

Gracie fought on December 31, 2015 at Rizin Fighting Federation World Tournament.[28] He faced Asen Yamamoto and won the fight by submission via triangle choke in the first round.[29] Gracie fought Hideo Tokoro on September 25, 2016.[30] He won via rear-naked choke in the first round.[31]

Gracie faced MMA veteran Tatsuya Kawajiri at the Rizin Fighting Federation Grand Prix: Final Round event on December 31, 2016. He won via rear-naked choke in the second round. This improved his professional MMA record to 4-0.[32][33]

Ultimate Fighting Championship

[edit]

2018–2019

[edit]

In November 2018, Gracie was signed by the UFC.[34] In his debut fight for the promotion, Gracie faced Alex Caceres on February 17, 2019 at UFC on ESPN 1.[35] He won the fight via submission due to a rear-naked choke in the first round.[36] This fight earned him his first Performance of the Night award.[37]

Gracie faced Cub Swanson on October 12, 2019 at UFC on ESPN+ 19.[38] He lost the fight via unanimous decision.[39] This fight earned him the Fight of the Night bonus award.[40] Many people were confused at Gracie's decision to strike with Swanson instead of taking the fight to the ground where he was predicted to have the advantage. In the years since, several members of the Gracie family have spoken about his loss and criticized his decision to avoid grappling, including his father Rickson[41] and uncle Relson Gracie.[42]

2023

[edit]

After a four year hiatus, Gracie made his return at UFC 288 on May 6, 2023 against Charles Jourdain.[43] Gracie lost the fight via unanimous decision.[44][45] Gracie was criticized for his performance by UFC president Dana White, viewers, and fellow fighters, with White saying that Gracie "came in very limited tonight."[46][47][48]

Personal life

[edit]

When not competing, Gracie taught jiu-jitsu at his school in Culver City, California[49] and helped run his father's association.[50] In January 2021, Gracie announced that he was closing his longtime academy and relocating to Montana to open a new BJJ school in response to the COVID-19 restrictions in place in California.[51] Gracie has stated to various media that he believes in the flat Earth conspiracy theory.[52][53][54]

In 2024, Gracie announced the release of his first ever online Jiu-Jitsu instructional.[55] It was entitled Fundamentals of Guard-Passing and was met with positive reviews.[56]

Instructor lineage

[edit]

Kano Jigoro → Mitsuyo "Count Koma" Maeda → Carlos Gracie → Helio Gracie → Rickson Gracie → Kron Gracie[4]

Championships and achievements

[edit]

Brazilian jiu-jitsu

[edit]

Main Achievements (at black belt level):[4]

Main Achievements (at colored belts):[4]

  • IBJJF World Champion (2006 purple, 2007 brown)
  • CBJJO World Jiu-Jitsu Cup Champion (2006 purple)
  • Copa Pacifica de Jiu Jitsu Champion (2007)
  • IBJJF Pan American Champion (2005 purple, 2007/2008[a] brown)
  • IBJJF American National (2004 blue[6])
  • South Bay Open Jiu-Jitsu Champion (2006)

Submission grappling

[edit]
  • 2013 ADCC Submission Fighting World Championship – 1st Place – Under 77 kg Division[21]
  • 2011 ADCC Submission Wrestling Championships – 3rd Place – Under 77 kg Division[57]
  • 2008 Rickson Gracie Cup – 1st Place – Adult Middleweight Division – Brown Belt, 1st Place – Adult Open Division – Brown Belt[58]
  • 2006 Naga Championships – 1st Place – Adult Lightweight Division – Purple Belt[1]
  • 2006 6th Annual Gracie United Tournament – 1st Place.[citation needed]
  • 2006 NAGA Chicago Championship – 1st Place.[1]

Mixed martial arts

[edit]

Mixed martial arts record

[edit]
Professional record breakdown
7 matches 5 wins 2 losses
By submission 5 0
By decision 0 2
Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Loss 5–2 Charles Jourdain Decision (unanimous) UFC 288 May 6, 2023 3 5:00 Newark, New Jersey, United States
Loss 5–1 Cub Swanson Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Joanna vs. Waterson October 12, 2019 3 5:00 Tampa, Florida, United States Fight of the Night.
Win 5–0 Alex Caceres Submission (rear-naked choke) UFC on ESPN: Ngannou vs. Velasquez February 17, 2019 1 2:06 Phoenix, Arizona, United States Performance of the Night.
Win 4–0 Tatsuya Kawajiri Submission (rear-naked choke) Rizin World Grand Prix 2016: Final Round December 31, 2016 2 2:04 Saitama, Japan
Win 3–0 Hideo Tokoro Submission (rear-naked choke) Rizin World Grand Prix 2016: 1st Round September 25, 2016 1 9:45 Saitama, Japan
Win 2–0 Asen Yamamoto Submission (triangle choke) Rizin World Grand Prix 2015: Part 2 - Iza December 31, 2015 1 4:58 Tokyo, Japan Featherweight debut.
Win 1–0 Kim Hyung-soo Submission (armbar) Real Fighting Championship: Real 1 December 23, 2014 1 1:05 Tokyo, Japan Catchweight (73 kg) bout.

Grappling record

[edit]
40 Matches, 29 Wins (24 Submissions), 11 Losses (3 Submissions)
Result Rec. Opponent Method Event Division Type Date Location
Win 28-11 Brazil Otávio Souza Submission (guillotine choke) ADCC World Championship -77 kg Nogi October 20, 2013 China Beijing
Win 27-11 United States Jonathan Torres Submission (armbar)
Win 26-11 United States Garry Tonon Submission (rear naked choke) October 19, 2013
Win 25-11 Taiwan Andy Wang Technical Submission (rear naked choke)
Win 24-11 Japan Shinya Aoki Submission (guillotine choke) Metamoris 2 Superfight Nogi June 9, 2013 United States Los Angeles, CA
Win 23-11 Brazil Otávio Souza Submission (armbar) Metamoris 1 Superfight Gi October 14, 2012 United States Los Angeles, CA
Win 22-11 Brazil Gabriel Rollo Points (4-4 ADV) IBJJF World Championship -82 kg Gi June 3, 2012 United States Long Beach, CA
Win 21-11 Brazil Elan Santiago Submission (choke) June 2, 2012
Win 20-11 Brazil Victor Estima Points World Jiu-Jitsu Expo Superfight Gi May 12, 2012 United States Long Beach, CA
Loss 19-11 United States Zak Maxwell Points (0-4) ACBJJ World Trials -77 kg Gi September 26, 2012 United States San Diego, CA
Win 19-10 Assyrian people Beneil Dariush Referee Decision
Loss 18-10 Brazil Victor Estima Points (2-6) IBJJF Pan Championship -82 kg Gi April 1, 2012 United States Long Beach, CA
Win 18-9 Canada Jake Mackenzie Submission (choke)
Win 17-9 Brazil Carlos Ribeiro Submission (choke) March 31, 2012
Loss 16-9 Brazil Marcus Almeida Submission (kneebar) Absolute
Win 16-8 Brazil Victor Estima Disqualification
Win 15-8 Brazil Ricardo Evangelista Submission (footlock)
Win 14-8 United States David Gill Submission (choke)
Win 13-8 Brazil Claudio Calasans Submission (guillotine choke) ADCC World Championship -77 kg Nogi September 25, 2011 United Kingdom Nottingham
Loss 12-8 Brazil Marcelo Garcia Points (0-2)
Win 12-7 Brazil Murilo Santana Submission (guillotine choke) September 24, 2011
Win 11-7 United States Jason Manly Submission (guillotine choke)
Loss 10-7 Brazil Gilbert Burns Points (2-9) IBJJF World Championship -82 kg Gi June 5, 2011 United States Long Beach, CA
Win 10-6 Brazil Leandro Lo Submission (choke)
Win 9-6 Brazil Rafael Barbosa Submission (choke)
Win 8-6 Brazil Sergio Rodrigo Submission (guillotine choke) June 4, 2011
Loss 7-6 Brazil Sergio Moraes Points (4-4 ADV) IBJJF World Championship -82 kg Gi June 5, 2010 United States Long Beach, CA
Loss 7-5 Brazil Abmar Barbosa Points (0-11) IBJJF Pan Championship -82 kg Gi April 11, 2010 United States Long Beach, CA
Win 7-4 Brazil Rodrigo Costa Submission (armbar) April 10, 2010
Loss 6-4 Brazil Sergio Moraes Points (0-7) IBJJF World Championship -82 kg Gi May 30, 2009 United States Long Beach, CA
Loss 6-3 Brazil Marcelo Garcia Submission (guillotine choke) ADCC World Championship -77 kg Nogi September 26, 2009 Spain Barcelona
Win 6-2 Brazil Enrico Cocco Submission (rear naked choke)
Loss 5-2 Brazil Lucas Leite Points (0-7) IBJJF Pan Championship -82 kg Gi April 5, 2009 United States Long Beach, CA
Win 5-1 Brazil Carlos Ferreira Submission (footlock)
Win 4-1 Brazil Abmar Barbosa Submission (kneebar)
Win 3-1 United States Nakapan Phungephorn Submission (armbar) April 4, 2009
Win 2-1 Brazil Pedro Bessa Submission (guillotine choke) IBJJF European Open -82 kg Gi January 31, 2009 Portugal Lisbon
Win 1-1 Brazil Yan Cabral Submission (choke)
Loss 0-1 Brazil Sergio Moraes Submission (bow & arrow choke) IBJJF World Championship -82 kg Gi May 31, 2008 United States Long Beach, CA Source[4]

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^ a b Weight and absolute

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c "Kron Gracie – MMA Fighter Page". Tapology. 1988-07-11.
  2. ^ "BJPenn.com". BJPenn.com.
  3. ^ a b Riley Kontek (September 28, 2013). "5 Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Artists We'd Love to See in MMA". Bleacher Report.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h i j "Kron Gracie". BJJ Heroes. 2010-11-28.
  5. ^ Top 10 Gracie Family Dramas & Misbehaviours in History November 5, 2015
  6. ^ a b "American National IBJJF Jiu-Jitsu Championship 2004". American National IBJJF Jiu-Jitsu Championship 2004.
  7. ^ a b Fiedel, Michael (2019-02-11). "Who is Kron Gracie? Meet the undefeated BJJ whiz before his UFC debut". The Body Lock.
  8. ^ a b "Kron Gracie & Tom DeBlass Brown Belt Match at 2008 Pans". Bjj Eastern Europe. 2020-08-21.
  9. ^ "Kron Gracie". moskova. Archived from the original on September 30, 2011. Retrieved April 3, 2010.
  10. ^ "Kron Gracie – Pan 2009". FloGrappling. 2022-06-21.
  11. ^ Nelson, Chris (2009-09-25). "ADCC 2009 Live Results and Open Discussion". Bloody Elbow. Archived from the original on 2022-07-05. Retrieved 2022-07-04.
  12. ^ Thapa, Ben (2011-09-26). "ADCC 2011 Results And Highlights". MMA Nation.
  13. ^ "Kron Gracie". BJJ Heroes. Retrieved 2019-04-01.
  14. ^ Jones, Phil (3 July 2023). "The 20 Best BJJ Nicknames". Jitsmagazine. Retrieved 3 July 2023.
  15. ^ "World Jiu-Jitsu IBJJF Championship 2011". World Jiu-Jitsu IBJJF Championship 2011.
  16. ^ "Pan 2012 results". International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation.
  17. ^ "Kron Gracie Insults & Threatens Braulio Estima After UFC 158". Bjj Eastern Europe. 2013-03-17.
  18. ^ "Otávio Sousa vs. Kron Gracie, Metamoris 1 – Grappling Bout". Tapology.
  19. ^ Doyle, Dave (2013-06-09). "Metamoris 2 results: Gracie submits Aoki". MMA Fighting.
  20. ^ Hresko, Michael (2014-10-30). "Kron Gracie on Jiu-Jitsu, Skateboarding, Older Brothers, and Famous Fathers". VICE.
  21. ^ a b "ADCC Results 2013". BJJ Heroes. 2013-10-20.
  22. ^ "Kron announces transition to MMA after ADCC gold". graciemag.com. October 24, 2013. Archived from the original on February 19, 2019. Retrieved December 23, 2014.
  23. ^ a b Cruz, Guilherme (2014-10-28). "Kron Gracie to make MMA debut at end of year". MMA Fighting.
  24. ^ Souza, Dale De (2012-02-24). "The Skrap Pack: The Tightest Group of Fighters in MMA". Bleacher Report.
  25. ^ "Kron Gracie set to make his MMA debut against Hyung Soo Kim". mmafighting.com. November 24, 2014.
  26. ^ "Kron Gracie's MMA Debut Is This December in Japan". fightland.vice.com. Retrieved December 23, 2014.
  27. ^ "Kron Gracie scores quick submission in MMA debut". mmafighting.com. December 23, 2014.
  28. ^ "Rizin FF – Rizin Fighting Federation 2". Sherdog. Retrieved 2015-11-25.
  29. ^ "Kron Gracie holds on to submit Asen Yamamoto despite slam". mmafighting.com. 2015-12-31.
  30. ^ "Kron Gracie to Face Hideo Tokoro in Featherweight Bout at September Rizin Event". sherdog.com. 2016-06-14.
  31. ^ "Kron Gracie Wins By Rear Naked Choke Against Hideo Tokoro at Rizin". jiujitsutimes.com. 2016-09-25.
  32. ^ "Rizin FF adds Kron Gracie vs. Tatsuya Kawajiri and 'Krazy Horse' Bennett vs. Minoru Kimura for Dec. 31". mmajunkie.com. 2016-10-31.
  33. ^ Sherdog.com. "Kron Gracie MMA Stats, Pictures, News, Videos, Biography – Sherdog.com". Sherdog. Retrieved 2019-10-14.
  34. ^ "UFC newcomer Gracie to face Caceres in January". ESPN.com. Retrieved 2018-12-01.
  35. ^ Staff (2018-12-13). "UFC on ESPN 1 card in Phoenix filling up with new matchups, UFC 233 fight scratches". MMAjunkie. Retrieved 2018-12-13.
  36. ^ "UFC on ESPN 1 results: Kron Gracie picks up family's first UFC win since 1994, submitting Alex Caceres". MMAjunkie. 2019-02-18. Retrieved 2019-02-18.
  37. ^ a b Hiergesell, Dan (2019-02-18). "UFC Phoenix Bonuses! Luque, Barberena Battle it Out For $50K Each". MMAmania.com. Retrieved 2019-02-18.
  38. ^ DNA, MMA (20 August 2019). "Kron Gracie vs. Cub Swanson officieel gemaakt voor 12 oktober in Tampa". Retrieved 2019-08-22.
  39. ^ Doherty, Dan (2019-10-12). "UFC Tampa Results: Cub Swanson Wins Absolute Slugfest Against Kron Gracie". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2019-10-13.
  40. ^ a b "UFC on ESPN+ 19 bonuses: Cub Swanson-Kron Gracie slugfest earns 'Fight of the Night'". MMA Junkie. 2019-10-13. Retrieved 2019-10-13.
  41. ^ "Rickson Gracie Evaluates Kron Gracie's Last MMA Loss". 3 January 2022.
  42. ^ "Relson Gracie Criticises Kron Gracie for Boxing in MMA". 23 July 2021.
  43. ^ de Souza, Diogo (8 March 2023). "Kron Gracie Set For MMA Comeback At UFC 288". JitsMagazine. Retrieved 8 March 2023.
  44. ^ "Bad Night For BJJ In UFC 288 Results". JitsMagazine. 7 May 2023. Retrieved 7 May 2023.
  45. ^ Anderson, Jay (2023-05-06). "UFC 288: Smart Game Plan, Stand-Up Lead Charles Jourdain to Victory Over Kron Gracie". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2023-05-08.
  46. ^ Martin, Damon (May 7, 2023). "Dana White reacts to Kron Gracie's UFC 288 performance: 'It was like coming out of a time capsule in 1995'". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 2023-05-08.
  47. ^ "Charles Jourdain Defeats Kron Gracie; Calls His Style 'Outdated'". BJJ Eastern Europe. May 7, 2023. Retrieved 2023-05-08.
  48. ^ Youngs, Jose (May 6, 2023). "'This is horrible': Pros react to Kron Gracie's performance against Charles Jourdain at UFC 288". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 2023-05-08.
  49. ^ "About KGJJ". Kron Gracie Jiu Jitsu. Retrieved June 20, 2014.
  50. ^ "USA REPS". Rickson Gracie International Jiu-Jitsu Association. Retrieved April 3, 2010.
  51. ^ "Kron Gracie Moves to Montana to Open up New Gym". 16 January 2021.
  52. ^ "Kron Gracie: 'I Believe That The Earth is Flat'". Bjjee.com. March 22, 2019. Retrieved September 9, 2020.
  53. ^ "Kron Gracie: I believe the earth is flat, but no one really knows until you get in a rocket". Bloodyelbow.com. February 26, 2019. Retrieved September 9, 2020.
  54. ^ "Kron Gracie gives fact-based, believable argument to support 'flat earth' theory (just kidding, he sounds nuts)". Bloodyelbow.com. February 26, 2019. Retrieved September 9, 2020.
  55. ^ Williams, Jackson. "Kron Gracie Announces First Ever BJJ Instructional Release". Jitsmagazine. Retrieved 20 July 2024.
  56. ^ "Kron Gracie: Fundamentals Of Guard-Passing Review". Jitsmagazine. Retrieved 20 July 2024.
  57. ^ Holland, Jesse (2011-09-26). "ADCC 2011 results and quick recap for Sept. 25 in Nottingham, England". MMAmania.com.
  58. ^ "Kron set to return to competition". Graciemag – BJJ news. 2010-09-20. Archived from the original on 2022-07-03. Retrieved 2022-07-04.
[edit]
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