Roger Gracie to Strikeforce?

by Scott C. Broussard on May 13, 2009 2:04 AM EDT

"Their lawyer is looking at a draft of what we're doing," [Strikeforce CEO Scott]Coker said, "but I think we're pretty much done." He declined to provide specifics of the pending deal.

Roger is the latest Gracie to impact combat sports, winning at the 2005 ADCC competition by submitting every opponent, an unprecedented accomplishment. In MMA, he is 2-0, beating Ron Waterman and Yuki Kondo. He is still (presumably) very raw in his overall game, having last competed almost a full year ago, but he is obviously very skilled and could make a serious impact on the heavyweight division. Stikeforce also has Brett Rogers, and those two could have a compelling striker-vs.-grappler match, and giving each other a real test of skill (certainly more so than their other opponents). Fabricio Werdum, too, is most likely signing with Strikeforce, giving another interesting matchup. He weighs only 220 lbs, so he might even be able to cut to LHW (I'm not sure if he can, but other fighters do, so it is possible). There are many more-than-compotent fighters available to Gracie in Strikeforce. It's a good signing if it's true.

The FanPosts are solely the subjective opinions of Bloody Elbow readers and do not necessarily reflect the views of Bloody Elbow editors or staff.

Tweet Comment 47 comments | 3 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

Damn, I wish Roger could get it together and actually start fighting.

If you're not submitting, you're just rolling around with another guy.

by BJJDenver on May 13, 2009 10:59 AM EDT reply actions

This.

A man should never waste an opportunity to keep his mouth shut.

by iiowyn on May 13, 2009 11:03 AM EDT up reply actions

Roger is tentatively scheduled to make his Strikeforce debut in 2014.

by Chris Nelson on May 13, 2009 12:23 PM EDT up reply actions 5 recs

Quality work.

by Derek Suboticki on May 13, 2009 2:20 PM EDT up reply actions

Considering Gracie’s level of experience, Coker said he plans on promoting the heavyweight in the Strikeforce Challenger series, which pits up-and-coming fighters and debuts Friday on Showtime, sometime this autumn against a to-be-determined opponent.

by MMASuPreMaCy on May 13, 2009 5:15 PM EDT up reply actions

I’m not gonna waste time digging up the quotes about him supposedly fighting in the IFL, pulling out of the Travis Wiuff fight and then maybe possibly participating in Sengoku No Ran, but suffice it to say, I’ll believe Roger Gracie is fighting again when I see him at the weigh-ins.

by Chris Nelson on May 13, 2009 5:58 PM EDT up reply actions

Hahaha

Score.

I poop rainbows.

by Blackout612 on May 14, 2009 2:08 PM EDT up reply actions

by MMASuPreMaCy on May 13, 2009 5:29 PM EDT up reply actions

I’ve been hoping that Roger would sign with the UFC – would be a dream to see headlines like Gracie vs. Lesnar or Couture or Nogueira.

As far as size goes, he’s very tall and according to reports, he’s incredibly strong.

Visit LongShortTrader!

by MMAEruption on May 13, 2009 12:10 PM EDT reply actions

He ripped Drysdale’s gi in 2007. That’s just absurd.

by Derek Suboticki on May 13, 2009 2:21 PM EDT up reply actions

He ripped a gi? I didn’t think that was humanly possible!

Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter. Try Again. Fail again. Fail better. -Samuel Beckett

by Scott C. Broussard on May 13, 2009 4:09 PM EDT up reply actions

For a second there I thought you were MMASup

And I spitaked my coffee all over my monitor.

I poop rainbows.

by Blackout612 on May 14, 2009 2:08 PM EDT up reply actions

Haha, I LOL’ed when I read this comment.

Gracie via armbar.

by MMASuPreMaCy on May 14, 2009 3:35 PM EDT up reply actions

Lesnar via wanting to be an MMA fighter.

by Derek Suboticki on May 14, 2009 4:02 PM EDT up reply actions

Gracie by youth and not wanting to retire in a couple of years.

by MMASuPreMaCy on May 14, 2009 5:06 PM EDT up reply actions

Lesnar wants to retire in a couple of years? Source?

by Derek Suboticki on May 14, 2009 6:00 PM EDT up reply actions

Roger doesn’t fight for cheap… it will be interesting to see how they fit him into Strikeforce’s business model. I would presume he’ll be slotted into main events almost immediately.

by smoogy on May 13, 2009 4:17 PM EDT reply actions

Considering Gracie’s level of experience, Coker said he plans on promoting the heavyweight in the Strikeforce Challenger series, which pits up-and-coming fighters and debuts Friday on Showtime, sometime this autumn against a to-be-determined opponent.

“We’re going to see if we can create some awareness with him, see how he does fighting-wise, and take it from there,” Coker said. “We’re going to give him every opportunity to crossover into MMA. He’s going to have plenty of time to see if he really likes to do it.”

by MMASuPreMaCy on May 13, 2009 5:15 PM EDT up reply actions

His cost is the exact reason I’m very hesitant to believe there is actually a contract being signed. All of the top bjj guys know that if they want to make their money in MMA that it needs to be in Japan. Xande, Andre, Jacare, Roger, and Marcelo have all found the money they were looking for. Drysdale is still waiting to get what he deserves and it’s just unlikely any American promotion can successfully acquire these fighters without significantly dipping into funds they shouldn’t.

by Simco on May 14, 2009 6:56 AM EDT up reply actions

Well, to be fair, they are running out of options since Sengoku doesn’t seem to be overpaying its fighters and DREAM has been very selective in their recent spending, unless it will generate ratings for them. Strikeforce on Showtime and potentially on CBS could entice some.

by MMASuPreMaCy on May 14, 2009 1:24 PM EDT up reply actions

Besides cash, the top bjj competitors are also looking for MMA contracts that allow them to continue to participate in BJJ tournaments. We know that UFC does not allow fighters to do both. So, Strikeforce, FEG, WVR, and other promotions can have a signing advantage by offering more flexible contracts.

by lom4usa on May 14, 2009 3:27 PM EDT up reply actions

That too.

by MMASuPreMaCy on May 14, 2009 3:32 PM EDT up reply actions

Strikeforce HW Picture Really Improving

Alistair Overeem [CHAMP]
Fabricio Werdum
Paul Buentello
Brett Rogers
Dave Herman
Shane Del Rosario
Levar “Big” Johnson
Abongo Humphrey
Daniel Puder
Jon Murphy
Carl Seumanutafa
Mike Cook
Maurice Smith

Not Yet Signed, In Talks, Or Some Relation:
Roger Gracie
Kimbo Slice
Antonio Silva (Suspended/Banned, now in WVR)

by MMASuPreMaCy on May 13, 2009 4:49 PM EDT reply actions

Actually, This Is The Latest On Kimbo

Miami-based mixed martial arts star Kimbo Slice will become a pro boxer (as a heavyweight), with his first fight in late summer against an undetermined opponent, promoter Gary Shaw said.

by MMASuPreMaCy on May 13, 2009 4:52 PM EDT up reply actions

Is Shaw To Blame Why Kimbo is Not in The Super Hulk Tournament!?

= (

by MMASuPreMaCy on May 13, 2009 5:13 PM EDT up reply actions

And btw...

Kimbo in the Super Hulk tournament would be pure magic.

Supporting all Las Vegas MMA.

'09 is the year of the FW's.

by ElliotMatheny on May 14, 2009 1:51 PM EDT up reply actions

Well, in place of Canseco. Would have been a much better fit.

I poop rainbows.

by Blackout612 on May 14, 2009 2:09 PM EDT up reply actions

Oh come on… everyone wants to see Canseco get slugged.

Follow my analysis of all things MMA on BloodyElbow.com

by Leland Roling on May 14, 2009 4:57 PM EDT up reply actions

No doubt

For credibility’s sake. And yes… This is the only scenario in which I would consider Kimbo more credible than someone.

I poop rainbows.

by Blackout612 on May 14, 2009 5:14 PM EDT up reply actions

I never thought I would be able to envision such a scenario. Then again, Canseco vs. an Asian giant is not something that would normally pop into my head as a plausable scenario either…

"I'm AJB and I endorse this nut-puncher."

by AJB on May 14, 2009 6:54 PM EDT up reply actions

Interestingly enough, I find it funny how a lot of what Canseco said was true, but the media still pushes the whole “He’s an idiot and was a liar” issue.

Follow my analysis of all things MMA on BloodyElbow.com

by Leland Roling on May 15, 2009 10:16 AM EDT up reply actions

Oh

That’s not what I’m getting at, at all. His cred as a fighter.

I poop rainbows.

by Blackout612 on May 15, 2009 1:44 PM EDT up reply actions

Kimbo...

is gonna get torn a new one in boxing. He’s well into his 30’s by now, and he really just doesn’t have elite level boxing instruction.

Granted, I think he still has some potential to be a good MMA fighter. His hype train might’ve left the station, but that doesn’t change the fact that he’s a big/ strong dude, with heavy hands. I also think that he could make the cut to LHW, and be a very big man in that division.

He just needs to find a good camp, and really dedicate himself to MMA. He probably won’t be a world beater, but he is a good draw, and I could see him potentially beating some C+/ B- level guys.

Supporting all Las Vegas MMA.

'09 is the year of the FW's.

by ElliotMatheny on May 14, 2009 1:50 PM EDT up reply actions

Im Thinking...

He gets beat bad in boxing, and he may come back and try MMA again…
I see the same fate for Noons.

by MMASuPreMaCy on May 14, 2009 1:55 PM EDT up reply actions

How about Arlovski?

by Derek Suboticki on May 14, 2009 2:05 PM EDT up reply actions

Don’t think it’s similarly applicable, because Arlovski isn’t trying to leave. Poor guy probably wants to fight more often with his services being wasted in Affliction.

I poop rainbows.

by Blackout612 on May 14, 2009 2:11 PM EDT up reply actions

I think him kicking Yvel’s ass would be pretty sweet.

by Derek Suboticki on May 14, 2009 4:02 PM EDT up reply actions

Actually, from what I’ve read, Arlovski seems to be on the road to going into boxing full-time. His hands are pretty quick, and the HW boxing picture isn’t exactly chalk full of unbelievable competition.

Follow my analysis of all things MMA on BloodyElbow.com

by Leland Roling on May 14, 2009 4:58 PM EDT up reply actions

Actually, he said he wanted to do both (Boxing is on a trial period to see how good he can do and to keep in shape) and looks forward to fighting for his 3rd fight in Affliction.

by MMASuPreMaCy on May 14, 2009 5:08 PM EDT up reply actions

No chin

=no boxing career. That’s a detailed synopsis of Kimbo’s boxing prospects.

I poop rainbows.

by Blackout612 on May 14, 2009 2:10 PM EDT up reply actions

I tend to agree with that...

but it’s also not set in stone that Kimbo’s chin is garbage. If you think about it, when he got knocked down by Petruzelli’s punch, his chin was stuck out in the air, he was moving forward, and he got nailed by a guy who’s style (karate) is famous for the 1-inch punch.

Bruce Lee, a 130- lb. guy, could send big dudes flying with the 1- inch punch, so it’s not completely out of the question that the same punch, executed by a 220 lb guy, that lands square on the chin of a man with forward momentum, could flash KO someone with a decent chin.

If anything, Kimbo needs to work on his defense standing; he got tagged many times in his backyard fights, and that whole ‘stalking,’ approach that he used against all his opponents got him in big trouble against a guy like Seth, who has very clean striking.

Supporting all Las Vegas MMA.

'09 is the year of the FW's.

by ElliotMatheny on May 14, 2009 2:17 PM EDT up reply actions

Did you just compare Seth Petruzelli to Bruce Lee?

Again, as I just said in another thread; just because your friend plays guitar in a band doesn’t mean he’s any good at it. That punch proved, definitively, that Kimbo does not have a boxer’s chin. Great boxers have to be born with certain physical elements. You can’t teach a chin.

I poop rainbows.

by Blackout612 on May 14, 2009 2:32 PM EDT up reply actions