Royce Gracie Says He’s A Better Fighter Now Than He Was 20 Years Ago

48-year-old Royce Gracie will fight 51-year-old Ken Shamrock in February at Bellator 149 in February. The two men last fought to a draw at UFC 5 in April of 1995. Gracie previously defeated Shamrock via submission in November of 1993. This will be Gracie’s first fight in almost a decade, but he sounds pretty confident.

Related: Dana White On Shamrock vs. Gracie 3: “I Don’t Think 50-Year-Olds Fighting Is Ever A Good Idea”

Here’s what Gracie said about the upcoming fight in a recent interview with Bloody Elbow:

“I got more than a couple years [on Ken Shamrock], man. I don’t drink, I don’t smoke, healthy life. So, I think I got more than a couple years.”

“What’s changed!? What’s changed is that the Royce today would have beat the Royce 20 years ago. Ken Shamrock today, I don’t think he would beat the Ken Shamrock 20 years ago. 20 years ago Royce had talent. Today, Royce has talent and experience.”

Gracie is 14-2 in his MMA career, while Shamrock has a 28-16 record.

Their fight will be taking place at Bellator 149 on February 19th in Houston, TX at the Toyota Center.