Retirement doesn’t seem to be for everyone, especially UFC veterans. Among them, the first-ever UFC champion and Hall of Famer, Royce Gracie, is now taking center stage this week in Olathe, a suburb in the Kansas City metropolitan area. However, instead of competing, he is actively working to help the people of the city with his latest outreach.

Royce Gracie will be conducting self-defense seminars open to children, adults, and law enforcement officers throughout the Kansas City area, with sessions being held at Tyson Kilbey Jiu-Jitsu in Olathe. Kilbey, who owns the gym and serves as a captain in the sheriff’s office, is co-running the seminars alongside Gracie. Speaking to FOX 4 Kansas City, Kilbey described the event as “inspirational” and emphasized that no athletic background is required to participate.

“Jiu jitsu doesn’t just have one benefit,” Kilbey said. “It has a variety of benefits from physical health to mental health, to discipline, to self-confidence.”

The UFC legend is working directly with law enforcement officers, training them to detain and control suspects without causing unnecessary harm.

“I won three fights in the first UFC without hurting my opponents,” Royce Gracie explained. “You don’t depend on speed; you don’t depend on strength. So, you’ve just got to know what you’re doing based on leverage. So, a smaller opponent can defend themselves against somebody bigger and stronger.

“If you have confidence, and you know how to make a decision under pressure, it will help in any job in any aspect of life.”

Olathe sits within the Kansas City metropolitan area, a city that the US News & World Report ranked 8th among the 25 most dangerous cities in the United States in 2025. The seminars aim to build confidence and discipline in participants beyond the technical skills themselves, something Gracie explains is the broader purpose of Jiu-Jitsu and his work throughout his post-competition career.

However, Royce Gracie has not visited Olathe for the first time for a seminar. In fact, he has returned multiple times over the years and has consistently shared his expertise through self-defense classes designed for people from all walks of life across the city.

In recent years, Royce Gracie has also expanded his impact in the self-defense space with his association of gyms, known as the “Royce Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Network.” He operates affiliated schools across 34 locations in the United States and in international regions, including the UAE, Brazil, and the UK. As a result, these schools primarily focus on self-defense, and Gracie and his team not only teach techniques but also promote it as a way of life.

Royce Gracie explains how BJJ teaching “goes beyond” the mats

Royce Gracie did not become a BJJ legend by accident. His family roots built the foundation, and that background drove him to greatness. With a long list of achievements in MMA, he now uses his platform to spread his family’s legacy through teaching. He built a respected career in MMA, particularly in the UFC, where he made history by becoming the first UFC champion.

As a result, he recorded 15 wins and just 2 losses, and his strong BJJ background played a major role in that success. Gracie continues to follow principles passed down by his family, especially his father, Helio, who played a key role in shaping his journey.

“We are here to teach self-defence and teach the new generation respect and confidence,” Gracie reveals. “My father didn’t teach me how to fight, he taught me the art of jiu-jitsu.

“If you look when you walk in it teaches hygiene, the place is clean. It teaches respect. It is beyond the mat – we serve as an example. I don’t drink, I don’t smoke, I eat healthy food. Right there is an example for the kids and what they should learn. It goes beyond the mats and the martial art.”

With him already making a strong impact through his BJJ teaching, how do you view Royce Gracie’s legacy in the sport? Share your thoughts below.