Royce Gracie pioneered the popularity of MMA across the globe, particularly in the USA. Gracie won UFC 1, UFC 2, and UFC 4 in tournament format without any weight class. Gracie was the inspiration for many in the UFC, especially Joe Rogan. As such, Rogan was happy to host Gracie in his recent podcast episode.
Rogan and Gracie talked about a variety of topics on the podcast. Most of the discussions were about MMA. However, they also delved into the socio-economic-political condition in the USA and the world. The pair also discussed hilarious incidents in their life, and one particular story about swimming had Joe Rogan in laughter.
So, just not too long ago, a couple of years ago, a bunch of friends of mine from the Navy SEALs asked me, ‘Hey, let’s go swim across Tampa Bay.’ I was like, ‘Sure, let’s do it.’ I figured out it was across Tampa Bay. Three hours later…I made it, but my God…I was having frostbite on my fingers. It was January—cold, very cold water. Brazilians are not made for cold weather.
Royce Gracie via JRE
Gracie revealed that the distance and the extra weight in the water were not his concerns. However, the sheer cold was too much for him. What’s more impressive is that Gracie only had swam a dozen times before he swam with the NAVY SEALS.
Gracie and Rogan have so much in common. Even though not at the level of Gracie, Rogan is a black belt in BJJ under Jean Jacques Machado. Moreover, they also have a love for hunting. Interestingly, hunting is not something the Gracie family endorses.
Royce Gracie speaks on how Gracie family perceives bowhunting to Joe Rogan
Joe Rogan is a big supporter of bowhunting. Rogan does not endorse hunting for guns but is in for it for the meat, which is the meat available. However, he is against government regulations that prevent hunting even though there is an overpopulation of animals.
Royce Gracie and Joe Rogan (Image via: IMAGO)In the recent episode of JRE, Royce Gracie revealed John Dudley got him into hunting regularly. Gracie didn’t know who Dudley was, but somebody told him Dudley was the ‘Royce Gracie of bowhunting.’ However, he also revealed the problems he faced due to his hunting habit.
I’ve been hunting for a while. I keep that quiet…Not just in Brazil. The Gracie family—a lot of them don’t like hunting, and they give me a hard time.
Royce Gracie via JRE
Gracie stated his relatives criticized him for a picture of him with a hunted elk. However, he revealed they were hypocrites, and he had to educate them. Rogan also agreed people who criticize hunting don’t know what they are talking about.
For many UFC fighters, Royce Gracie is the GOAT. Georges St. Pierre is one of them. He had once placed Gracie above Jon Jones, Khabib Nurmagomedov, and himself. Gracie had recently converted to Islam after the backlash he received from supporting Israel in their conflict with Palestine.
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