How is Bellator welterweight Neiman Gracie related to Royce and Renzo Gracie? 

Bellator star Neiman Gracie (left; Photo Credit: @neimangracie on Instagram), Royce Gracie (center) and Renzo Gracie (right)
Bellator star Neiman Gracie (left; Photo Credit: @neimangracie on Instagram), Royce Gracie (center) and Renzo Gracie (right)

Neiman Gracie is part of the illustrious Gracie family, known for its Brazilian jiu-jitsu. UFC Hall-of-Famer Royce Gracie and his cousin Renzo Gracie are the uncles of Neiman.

The 32-year-old welterweight defeated Mark Lemminger via TKO at the 1:27 mark in the first round during Bellator 266 in California on Saturday. This was the first knockout victory of his 13-fight MMA career. He now holds an overall record of 11-2.

Neiman's great grandfather Carlos and his brother Helio founded Brazilian jiu-jitsu. His great-uncle, Rorion Gracie, co-founded the UFC in 1993.

Neiman Gracie has trained at the Renzo Gracie jiu-jitsu Academy in Midtown Manhattan for most of his life. He has been with Kings MMA in Huntington Beach since 2020.

Meanwhile, Royce Gracie is one of the most prominent personalities in the history of MMA. He won tournaments held during UFC 1, UFC 2 and UFC 4. He was also instrumental in spreading the grappling-heavy Brazilian jiu-jitsu.

Renzo Gracie has also fought in the UFC. He has trained the likes of Georges St-Pierre, Frankie Edgar, Chris Weidman and Matt Serra.


Neiman Gracie shocks the MMA world with a knockout

Neiman Gracie's performance against Mark Lemminger in the co-main event of Bellator 266 earned him several fans in the MMA world.

Neiman applied pressure on his opponent right from the word go. The Brazilian mixed martial artist pushed Lemminger towards the fence and then connected with a neat uppercut. He continued throwing punches and forced the referee to stop the bout.

The No.4-ranked Bellator welterweight contender was lauded by the likes of Ariel Helwani and Aaron Bronsteter on social media.

Here are some of the best Twitter reactions following Neiman Gracie's win over Mark Lemminger:

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Edited by Utathya Ghosh