Kyra Gracie - First Female Gracie Black Belt

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.

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.

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. 

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.

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".

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.

In 2011, Kyra started teaching in Jiu-Jitsu camps, mainly in ATOS, which is one of the top BJJ academies in the world.

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.”

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.

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.

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.

Leka Vieira vs Kyra Gracie Jiu Jitsu Match Worlds 2005

Kyra Gracie vs Tara LaRosa (ADCC 2007)

ADCC - Kyra Gracie x Erica Montoya

Lolo Cousin vs Kyra Gracie

Photo credit: @kyragracie