By Trey Dennis
While December is know right now in the MMA world as date of UFC 194: Aldo vs McGregor, which is probably the most talked about title fight in UFC history; it also happens to be to be on the 49th birthday of the original UFC champion and Hall of Famer, Royce Grace. Royce Gracie is the legendary Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu who comes from the very family who started to new grappling art.
Growing up as the son Helio Gracie (a founding member of the Gracie Jiu Jitsu Academy), Royce was chosen to represent the family at UFC 1 in 1993, where he defeated a pair of fighters and then defeated future Champion Ken Shamrock to win the first tournament title. Royce also won at UFC II and UFC IV in 1994. Royce and Ken fought again at a superfight in UFC V in 1995 which ended in a draw. The two are expected fight again at Bellator 149 on Febuary 19, 2016.
Sources: http://www.bjjheroes.com/bjj-fighters/royce-gracie, http://www.mmanews.com/ken-shamrock-vs-royce-gracie-3-scheduled-for-bellator-149-in-february/.