Table of content
1. Kyra Gracie Details
Name | Kyra Gracie Guimarães |
Nickname | N/A |
Born | Rio de Janeiro, Brazil |
Current Residence | United States |
Date of Birth | 29 May 1985 (age 37) |
Nationality | Brazilian |
College/University | N/A |
Last Fight | N/A |
Last Weigh In | N/A |
Weight Class | Peso Leve (58kg / 141lbs) |
Weight | approximately 135 lbs |
Height | 5 feet and 7 inches tall. |
Reach | N/A |
Career Disclosed Earnings | $1.5 Million. |
Fighting out of | Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu |
Foundational style | Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu |
FavoriteTechnique | An armbar from a closed guard. |
Rank | 4th-degree black belt |
Awarded By | Carlos Gracie Sr. |
Head Coach | Carlos Gracie Jr |
Lineage | Mitsuyo Maeda -> Carlos Gracie Sr. -> Carlos Gracie Junior -> Kyra Gracie |
Team/Association | Gracie Barra/Gracie Elite |
2. Kyra Gracie Biography
Kyra Gracie is the first famous female grappler in the Gracie family. Kyra received her 4th-degree Jiu-Jitsu black belt under Carlos Gracie Jr. Kyra Gracie's efforts played an incredible role in encouraging women to join Jiu-Jitsu sports. Kyra Gracie's famous wins include ADCC Championships, Pan American Jiu-Jitsu Championships, and World Jiu-Jitsu Championships. Kyra is considered a true ambassador of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu when she appeared in famous Brazilian TV shows: Programa do Jo (with Jo Soares) and Sensei SporTv.
Kyra was the first Gracie female to enter the ADCC Hall of Fame.
2.1. Kyra Gracie Childhood
Kyra Gracie is a member of the fourth-generation Gracie family. Kyra was born in Rio de Janeiro on 29th May 1985. She is the granddaughter of Robson Gracie who is the second son of grandmaster Carlos Gracie Sr. The name of Kyra’s father is Guimarães but she adopted her maiden name from Flavia Gracie. Kyra was much inspired by her three black belt uncles named Ralph, Ryan, and Renzo Gracie. As they all lived in the same house, Kyra Gracie as a toddler grew up watching them train and sparring. As a result, she started training Jiu-Jitsu with them for enjoyment, and soon as she reached 11 Kyra made the decision to enroll in a Jiu-Jitsu academy.
2.2. Kyra Gracie’s Ambition For BJJ
Kyra Gracie’s family supported her to pursue a career as a BJJ instructor but soon the scenarios changed. Kyra was successful enough in training that she received her yellow belt. When in her teens she received a blue belt, her uncles tried to persuade her to leave and said, this sport is not suitable for women. Kyra disagreed with her family and continued her ambitious journey for Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
2.3. Kyra Gracie Black Belt
Alexandre Soca was a great sparring partner of Kyra Gracie. She worked extensively with him and in 2005, she decided to move to Gracie's Barra headquarters. At the age of 21, Kyra was awarded a black belt by his uncle Carlos Gracie Junior. Due to some family pressures, she took admission to the University to study law but soon realized, that things are not going the way she desired. Kyra left her studies and dedicated her time to training, competing, and teaching jiu-Jitsu.
Kyra proved herself a great instructor of Jiu-Jitsu who broke all conventional norms that jiu-jitsu is tough for females.
2.4. Kyra Gracie Moves to MMA
In 2009, Kyra enrolled in boxing classes under the renowned boxing coach, Claudio Coelho in Brazil. And then trained hard in Judo with Brazilian Olympic Champion, Leonardo Leite.
UFC was interested in bringing Kyra to the octagon but she got pregnant and decided to put her career plans on hold.
Kyra shared some words in Mexico City: "They knew I was a world champion," Gracie tells Bleacher Report. "They were like, 'You're a Gracie. I can't believe you're here.' They were very respectful and open and willing to teach me. And there are those who still want to be world-champion boxers, but they also want to do MMA in the future."
Currently, when Kyra is busy with her family, she is working as a UFC analyst Globo, which airs UFC events in Brazil.
"It was something I always planned on doing," she says. "I always wanted to go to Thailand to learn Muay Thai, to go other places and learn, even if it was just to help my jiu-jitsu. So when the UFC came up with this idea, I was like, 'Wow. I can't believe it.' It's just great for me to travel around and get the essence of each martial art, to learn from great masters, and to see what it takes to be a champion in each of the martial arts".
2.5. Kyra Gracie’s Retirement
Kyra Gracie retired from Jiu-Jitsu competitions in 2014 and decided to do coaching. Before her retirement, in an interview, Kyra said that there is a possibility of her UFC venture in the near future.
UFC Hall of Famer Royce Gracie said in an interview that, “Kyra Gracie is a tough and skillful BJJ fighter”. Royce added, “Kyra has much more potential than UFC Bantamweight Champion Ronda Rousey”. Kyra Gracie has many more submissions and much more skills to show whether fighting in a GI, No-Gi, or MMA.
Royce's confidence in Kyra Gracie was due to her win when she fought against top 10 UFC women's bantamweight Champion Alexis Davis. Kyra and Davis came against each other at the World Jiu-Jitsu Expo in 2012 and Kyra won the fight by points.
2.6. Kyra Gracie Instructorship
In 2011, Kyra started teaching in Jiu-Jitsu camps, mainly in ATOS, which is one of the top BJJ academies in the world.
2.7. Kyra Gracie With Her Kids
Kyra Gracie started teaching Jiu-Jitsu to her two daughters, Arya and Kyara. Arya is 7 years old and Kyara is 6 years old.
“At the same time you’re teaching BJJ, you are giving love to your kids,” she says. “At the same time they are in a new situation, they are in contact with me, close to me. All with the confidence of having Mom there.”
2.8. Kyra Gracie Historic Fights
Kyra Gracie VS Lana Stefanac
Kyra Gracie and Lana Stefanac, the two belonged from totally different weight classes. Kyra Gracie was representing Renzo Gracie and Lana Stefanac was representing Trinity BJJ. There was a huge weight disparity. Throughout the fight, Kyra’s defensive grip remained hard for Lana. Kyra earned points through closed guard but Lana’s weight was an advantage for her.
Year | Event | Opponent | W/L/D | Method | Stage | Weight Class | Location |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2009 | IBJJF World Jiu-Jitsu Championship | Lana Stefanac | Loss | Kimura | N/A | Openweight | California State University |
Kyra Gracie VS Luanna Alzuguir
In 2009, Kyra Gracie was already four times World Champion. In 2008, she beat Luanna Alzuguir in the lightweight final by 2-0. But in the 2009, IBJJF World Championship final, Luanna was powerful enough to defeat Kyra. Luanna represented Team Alliance.
Year | Event | Opponent | W/L/D | Method | Stage | Weight Class | Location |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2009 | IBJJF World Championship | Luanna Alzuguir | Loss | Sweep | N/A | Lightweight | Los Angeles |
Kyra Gracie vs Michelle Nicolini
Kyra won the bout by advantage. Although, It was a tough fight between the two champions. Kyra defended against Michelle triangle. They both played technically and strategically and put on a good show for spectators.
Year | Event | Opponent | W/L/D | Method | Stage | Weight Class | Location |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2011 | ADCC World Championship | Michelle Nicolini | Win | Advantage | N/A | 132 lbs | Nottingham, UK |
2.9. Kyra Gracie’s Championships and Accomplishments
Event | Year | Medal |
---|---|---|
Brazilian National Championship | 2005 | Gold |
Brazilian National Championship | 2008 | Gold |
Brazilian National Championship | 2008 | Gold |
Pan American Championship | 2005 | Gold |
Pan American Championship | 2007 | Gold |
World Championship | 2004 | Silver |
World Championship | 2006 | Gold |
World Championship | 2008 | Gold |
World Championship | 2008 | Gold |
World Championship | 2008 | Gold |
ADCC World Championship | 2005 | Gold |
ADCC World Championship | 2007 | Gold |
ADCC World Championship | 2011 | Gold |
Asian Championship | 2006 | Gold |
3. Kyra Gracie Main Achievements
Year | Division |
---|---|
2011 | Lightweight |
2010 | Lightweight |
2008 | Lightweight |
2007 | Lightweight |
2006 | Lightweight |
2005 | Lightweight |
2004 | Lightweight |
4. Kyra Gracie’s Grappling Record
4 x BJJ World Champion | |
---|---|
Year | Division |
2006 | Featherweight |
2008 | Featherweight |
2010 | Featherweight |
2008 | Absolute |
5 x BJJ Pan American Games Champion | |
---|---|
Year | Division |
2001 | Featherweight |
2002 | Featherweight |
2003 | Featherweight |
2005 | Featherweight |
2007 | Featherweight |
5 x BJJ Brazilian Champion | |
---|---|
Year | Division |
1998 | Super Feather |
1999 | Super Feather |
2000 | Super Feather |
2001 | Super Feather |
2004 | Super Feather |
5 x New York State Champion | |
---|---|
Year | Division |
1998 | Super Feather |
1999 | Super Feather |
2000 | Super Feather |
2001 | Super Feather |
2002 | Super Feather |
3 x ADCC Submission Wrestling World Champion | |
---|---|
Year | Division |
2005 | Featherweight |
2007 | Featherweight |
2011 | Featherweight |
1 x BJJ Asiatic Champion | |
---|---|
Year | Division |
2006 | Featherweight |
5. Kyra Gracie Achievements (Belts)
Position | Belts | Event | Year |
---|---|---|---|
1st | Blue | IBJJF Pan Championship | 2001 |
1st | Blue | IBJJF Pan Championship | 2002 |
1st | Purple | IBJJF Pan Championship | 2003 |
1st | Blue | CBJJ Brazilian Nationals | 2001 |
1st | Blue | CBJJ Brazilian Nationals | 2000 |
1st | Blue | CBJJ Brazilian Nationals | 1999 |
1st | Blue | CBJJ Brazilian Nationals | 1998 |
6. Kyra Gracie BJJ Professional Record Breakdown
Professional Jiu-Jitsu Record Breakdown | ||
---|---|---|
Matches: 27 | Wins: 18 | Losses: 9 |
By Submission | 7 | 3 |
By Points | 3 | 2 |
By Decision | 5 | 3 |
By EBI/OT | 0 | 0 |
By Advantage | 3 | 0 |
By Sweep | 0 | 1 |
6.1. Submission Methods W/L
Submission Method | Wins | Losses |
---|---|---|
Rear Naked Choke (RNC) | 2 | 1 |
Heel hook | 1 | 0 |
Toe hold | 0 | 1 |
Armlock | 1 | 0 |
Kimura | 1 | 1 |
Triangle lock | 2 | 0 |
7. Kyra Gracie Fight History
Year | Event | Opponent | W/L/D | Method | Weight Division |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
2011 | ADCC Championship | Michelle Nicolini | W | Advantage | 132 lbs |
2011 | IBJJF Worlds | Michelle Nicolini | L | Kimura | 128 lbs |
2010 | IBJJF Worlds | Luanna Alzugir | W | Decision | 141 lbs |
2009 | IBJJF Worlds | Luanna Alzugir | L | Sweep | 141 lbs |
2009 | IBJJF Worlds | Lana Stefenac | L | Kimura | N/A |
2008 | IBJJF Worlds | Luanna Alzugir | W | Heel Hook | 141 lbs |
2008 | IBJJF Worlds | Ana Laura Cordeiro | W | Points | N/A |
2007 | IBJJF Worlds | Tara Larosa | W | Triangle Lock | 132 lbs |
2006 | IBJJF Worlds | Hannette Staack | W | N/A | 141 lbs |
2005 | IBJJF Worlds | Alessandra Vieira | L | Points | 141 lbs |
2005 | IBJJF Worlds | Alessandra Vieira | W | Decision | 132 lbs |
2004 | IBJJF Worlds | Bianca Andrade | L | Decision | 128 lbs |
8. Kyra Gracie Top Fights (Links)
Leka Vieira vs Kyra Gracie Jiu Jitsu Match Worlds 2005
Kyra Gracie vs Tara LaRosa (ADCC 2007)
ADCC - Kyra Gracie x Erica Montoya
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