JJ VS SF

The second installment of this legendary fight trilogy took place on April 7, 1995. Despite the overtime round, this nearly 40-minute match finally ended in a draw. But the story doesn't end there! More than twenty years later the two again squared off in the Bellator cage, with Royce quickly taking down and submitting the much larger Shamrock. 

UFC 1 opened the world's eyes to the effectiveness of Gracie Jiu-Jitsu, but it was Royce's fight against Ken Shamrock that defined the paradigm shift. Ken Shamrock looks like a badass: he big, he's mean-looking, he's jacked. By comparison Royce is lanky and skinny. Based on look alone, Shamrock is an easy favorite. But then, just a few minutes into the exchange, Shamrock taps the mat. Even the commentators don't understand. Was it a choke? An arm lock? What's going on? 

To me, the importance of this matchup cannot be overstated. More than any other match or event, Gracie vs Shamrock, defines the trajectory MMA and BJJ followed in their explosive growth in the years since. Accordingly we, the modern-day practitioners, are living in the house that matchup built. 

This design is a celebration of both of these warriors: an expression of our gratitude. 

Respect to the pioneers. Respect to the history. Get the teeshirt here.