Royce Gracie says a fight contract will be finalized shortly for UFC Rio
by Tim Groves on April 12, 2011

"It would be the perfect place to do my last fight. I never fought in Rio de Janeiro and I couldn't be more psyched. We are negotiating [the fight deal], but we should have it finalized in two weeks. We only had an initial contact and I don't even have an opponent yet, but we should have that finalized soon." - Royce Gracie

Royce Gracie admitted in an interview with UOL Esporte that he is very close to finalizing a fight contract with the UFC to compete at UFC Rio. The translation comes courtesy of Tom Mendez of Bloody Elbow.

It has long been rumored that Gracie would participate in the UFC Rio event in some capacity, but nothing was ever confirmed. Some speculated that Gracie would be present as merely a figure head or in some sort of grappling exhibition. 

Now though, Gracie is adamant that he will compete at the event. It would mark his first professional fight since a victory over Kazushi Sakuraba in 2007. Gracie tested positive for anabolic steroids after the fight. 

While it now seems as if Gracie will fight at the event, a weight has still not been decided. The Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt maintains that he is right around his old fighting weight. 

"My weight is the same as it was twenty years ago [80kg], I am still training, keeping the blade sharp," Gracie said. "I follow a very strict diet. I never drank, never party, Carnaval, none of that... I'm ready to fight."

 |  (33) Comments horizontalcracker: sort of hope Gracie gets smashed snuff: Didn't want him in the card at all. 0311USMC: Let him go out at home. He was the face of the Gracie family and did tons for MMA and BJJ. Say what you want about his decline but the man is a legend. Cryptic_Soldier: Gracie Vs Arona!!!!!!! DO IT NOW! Keith Mondaca: I don't know, and I can't explain it, but I'd love to Royce vs. Penn. The match makes no sense. Penn should be fighting a top competitor, but for whatever reason I would love to see this fight. It would lbe ike a tribute to oldschool Japanese mismatches involving an aging/way passed his prime legend. Wandering_Minstrel: Think they could give Bob Sapp a one-fight deal? :D GO HARD: sapp cant make 265. lol give him Ken Shamrock TGroves: Rumors are swirling that it will be a rematch with Art Jimmerson. Mickey knox: I wouldn't mind seeing Sakuraba make him quit again. IwishIwasMMA: He has done a lot.. Rematch with Saku WITHOUT drugs this time for the Rubber match and if he wins, I will give him cred. Otherwise, that was a dirty move against another guy who is a top legend in this sport. flyangler: I haven't liked Royce since he beat Severn, speaking of The Beast, he wants a rematch. lol Just the fact that the UFC may contract him for this card make me want him to get killed. Thiago Alves would be my choice of opponent. GO HARD: severn and jimmerson want this fight. Marker28: I hope Royce doesn't embarass himself. fredshaulage: "My weight is the same as it was twenty years ago [80kg], I am still training, keeping the blade sharp," Gracie said. "I follow a very strict diet. I never drank, never party, Carnaval, none of that... I'm ready to fight." Wow, seems like he has wasted a lot of quality time living in some sort of fantasy world where he could still compete some day. It will be like watching two 80 year old crackhead hookers jello wrestling naked. Eeu!!! Giada Esposito: "I never drink, never party..." He just does 'roids, I guess. Let him fight Kimbo in the parking lot on Facebook, and save the main card for fighters who are still relevant.
HOW WILL THE THIAGO ALVES VS. MARTIN KAMPMANN FIGHT END AT UFC ON FX 2?
Alves def. Kampmann via TKO/KO
Alves def. Kampmann via submission
Alves def. Kampmann via decision
Kampmann def. Alves via TKO/KO
Kampmann def. Alves via submission
Kampmann def. Alves via decision
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