Renzo Gracie's UFC comeback will be happening after his Metamoris grappling match on November 22nd. The former mixed martial arts veteran also vowed payback against former Japanese rival Kazushi Sakuraba.
Renzo Gracie's UFC stint was only good for one fight. Unfortunately for the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu legend, it ended in a TKO loss against former long-time welterweight champion and Hall-of-Famer Matt Hughes at UFC 112 in April 2010.
News about Renzo Gracie's UFC comeback was announced by the former mixed martial arts fighter himself, during his appearance in The MMA Hour, hosted by Ariel Helwani. And according to the 47-year old former fighter, he is serious about it.
"Everything is going great and I'm ready to kick some butt," proudly said. "And soon, believe it, after Sakuraba, I'm coming for UFC. I am serious as hell, my friend, believe it."
There has been a long-standing history between Sakuraba and the whole Gracie family. The Japanese MMA veteran had beaten three members of the proud Brazilian clan: UFC legend Royce, younger brother Royler, and Renzo. Sakuraba, in turn, acquired the nickname "The Gracie Hunter."
The announcement of the rematch between the jiu-jitsu legend and "The Gracie Hunter" at Metamoris 5 never came as a surprise for Renzo, who immediately jumped in to take the fight when the event organizers informed him about it.
"I got a phone call from my cousin Ralek," Gracie narrated. "He said, 'Sakuraba may be signing with us, are you interested in fighting him?' I said, 'sign me up.' The day that I got that call, I started training."
There may be an old rivalry between Gracie and Sakuraba, but the Brazilian admitted that he always respected his old foe. However, he did promise to exact vengeance on the man who caused him a broken arm during their first encounter at PRIDE FC 10 in August 2000.
"He's a gentleman, he's a great guy," Gracie continued. "But if I can, I will choke him or break his arm to pay back what he did to mine (laughs)."
Below is the trailer for the upcoming rematch between Renzo Gracie and Kazushi Sakuraba at Metamoris 5.
