MMA legend Royce Gracie took time out to catch us up on what he's been doing since his win over Kazushi Sakuraba at K-1 HERO's DYNAMITE!! USA. Check out what he had to say about his performance, his future plans and more as he talks about the suspension he received from the California State Athletic Commission and why he didn't bother to protest it.
TN: How are you? What's new with you?
RG: I am okay, thanks. Just been doing a lot of traveling all over the world doing seminars. When I fight, I usually fall behind on my seminars and they start to add up so have been trying to catch up with as many as I can before the end of the year.
TN: In your last bout with Kazushi Sakuraba, you were suspended by the California State Athletic Commission for testing positive for the steroid Nandrolone. You've always been one to emphasize technique over strength and have maintained your innocence from the start. Can we get your thoughts on this situation?
RG: There is no situation. I said I didn't do it and that's all there is to it. As for actions, well look at Sean Sherk. He spent all that time and money on arguing over it and the result is the same. They did not believe him. I know what I did and did not do. I don't need a commission to clear me. I am clear in my own conscious so instead of fighting this and making a big deal out of it, I just let it go. That's it.
TN: In regards to Sakuraba, how did you feel your fight with him went?
RG: I think the fight went well. It was not a fight for the fans maybe, but the rules that are placed here in the States sometimes do not allow a fighter to open up, especially when it comes to grappling. Look how many jiu-jitsu fighters that have gone against wrestlers and totally dominated the fight, but because the wrestler took them down over and over, he gets the win. So when I was building a strategy for this fight, I was doing it around the rules that were in place at the time. As you can see, it worked.
TN: Will we see Royce Gracie vs Kazushi Sakuraba 3? This is a fight MMA fans would love to see.
RG: Don't know. That is not up to me.
TN: When do you plan on fighting next and is there anyone specific in mind?
RG: No one specific. As for fighting next, don't know yet, I have to catch up with a lot of business that I had to put aside to train. It's starting to pile into 2020 already (laughing). But if and when the opportunity presents itself, I will think about it at that time.
TN: You've had such a great career in this sport. What is your key to longevity?
RG: I keep myself in shape all year long. I eat right, I don't smoke, never had a drink!
TN: In all of your fights, you are always ready to go. Do you have any tips for the mental side of fighting?
RG: The mental side of fighting is done during training because your fight will never be as hard, both mentally and physically, as it is in training camp so if you survive that, the fight is easy.
TN: Anything you would like to say to your fans in closing?
RG: I want to thank them for years of support.