"I actually called Joe Silva today... I called and I asked him for Renzo (Gracie) because he's coming and he needs a warm-up fight, so I was like, I feel like I'd be a good warm-up fight. I've met Renzo a few times and I think he's one of the greatest guys in the world. I've trained at his gym a bunch of times. I've got absolutely nothing but respect for the guy. I think he's one of the greatest ever, but that's why I want to fight him. He's a legend and he needs a warm-up fight. I'd love to fight Matt Hughes (too), but he's not going to fight someone like me right now." -Matt Brown

Rising UFC welterweight Matt Brown talks to MMAWeekly.com about his desire to welcome Pride veteran and well-known Brazilian jiu-jitsu expert Renzo Gracie to the Octagon.

The Ulimtate Fighter 7 cast member most recently picked up his third-straight win by scoring an impressive third-round TKO win over TUF 9 welterweight winner James Wilks at UFC 105 on Nov. 14.

Gracie will likely make his anticipated UFC debut in March 2010. Rumors that Gracie's first UFC opponent would be Matt Hughes have swirled around the net. Gracie has since confirmed there have been talks about a fight with Hughes, however, he said it would likely be in his second UFC fight and he will be taking a warm-up fight in his Octagon debut.

Gracie has been on a long layoff from MMA and hasn't fought since being awarded a disqualification win against Frank Shamrock at EliteXC: "Destiny" in February 2007. The win was his third straight, with previous wins over Pat Miletich and Carlos Newton.

Brown has put together an impressive 4-1 UFC record, with previous Octagon wins coming over Matt Arroyo, Ryan Thomas and Pete Sell, while suffering his lone Octagon defeat against Dong Hyun Kim.