By Guilherme Cruz

Photo Eduardo Ferreira

Having the last name Gracie is an extra pressure on the competitions. And Kyra Graie knows it. Being the only woman of the family to have a Jiu-Jitsu black belt and collecting titles in all championships, the three times world champion was the invited this month by TATAME Magazine for the Paredão. In an exclusive interview, we invaded her home to a revealing chat, where Kyra talked about her start in the sport and the pressure of being a Gracie.

"I started to feel this pressure in a Pan-American Championship, when I still was a blue belt. The truth is that when women fought no one stopped to look. And I think that, as Gracie, people wanted to see whether I was good or not", said Kyra, who also spoke about family, MMA, idols, plans for the future and the death of her uncle, Ryan Gracie. "When I was born, Ryan was 12, so we stayed together the whole life. My mother separated from my father when I was very little, so he was the one always here, always did everything for me, was in all the competitions and was cheering for me... Until today, I miss him very much, after his death I was very upset", remembers.

The February edition of TATAME, which brings in the cover one last tribute to the Master Helio Gracie, who died in January, with unforgettable photos and an interview with the Master, brings a chat with the absolute champion of the European of Jiu-Jitsu, Bráulio Estima, the complete coverage of UFC 93 and Affliction 2 and an overview about the new phase of Jiu-Jitsu. Click here and check everything that TATAME’s February edition brings to you.