How did Royce Gracie’s jujitsu skills help him defeat larger opponents?

Royce Gracie was instrumental in popularizing mixed martial arts in the 1990s by demonstrating the effectiveness of jujitsu against larger, often one-dimensional opponents.

Gracie’s success relied on his ability to neutralize the physical advantages of his adversaries by taking the fight to the ground. While lying on his back, he was particularly adept at using his technical skills to defend against incoming strikes and to transition into submission holds aimed at his opponent’s joints. This approach allowed him to overcome size disparities, as he could control the engagement and force a submission rather than relying on raw strength or striking power. His dominance in early UFC events eventually compelled other fighters to diversify their training to include grappling and jujitsu to remain competitive.1