Royce Gracie Meeting With Dana White Next Week To Discuss UFC: Rio

by Nick Thomas on Apr 16, 2011 7:03 PM EDT in UFC Video

UFC legend Royce Gracie went 11-0-1 in the first five UFCs, taking home three tournament titles and establishing Brazilian Jiu Jitsu as the pre-eminent style for MMA, but since 1995 he's only fought for the promotion once. Since losing to Matt Hughes at UFC 60 in what was the biggest UFC PPV up to that time he's fought outside the promotion. Gracie has made no secret of his desire to return for one final bout at UFC Rio.

Royce Gracie is looking for a rematch against Matt Hughes, while Dan Severn and Art Jimmerson are hoping they will get the call to face Royce.

UFC: Rio coverage (video via IronForgesIron.com)

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Give him Serra?

by Landoman722 on Apr 16, 2011 7:11 PM EDT via mobile reply actions

Hughes rematch would not go well for Royce.

by Tats16 on Apr 16, 2011 7:15 PM EDT reply actions

totally agree

he needs a greaseball like ken shamrock or dan severn

by wildbronco on Apr 16, 2011 7:16 PM EDT up reply actions

not going to happen it has to be a fighter who is a WW or who can come in and fight a catch weight with Royce. I also forgot all about that also when thinking about royce I still thinks its the mid 90’s and there are no weight divisions but there is now. So who ever they get they have to make 17- or agree on a catch weight bout. I don’t get at all why the UFC would promote a Hughes Rematch I see if going to same exact way for Royce maybe even faster this time around ?

by Shocbomb on Apr 17, 2011 11:45 AM EDT up reply actions

170

by Shocbomb on Apr 17, 2011 11:45 AM EDT up reply actions

11-1?

Are you guys counting his draw with Shamrock as a loss? I thought it was 11-0-1

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by kenpoboy67 on Apr 16, 2011 7:16 PM EDT reply actions

Some count his towel toss at UFC 3 as a loss

by Pyrgz Krum on Apr 16, 2011 7:20 PM EDT up reply actions

Thanks updated.

by Nick Thomas on Apr 16, 2011 7:33 PM EDT up reply actions

Does Brazil have any thing like the Athletic Commissions that we have up here or is the UFC going to be doing their own weigh ins?

And if the answer to the first question is the UFC will be doing the weigh ins, will the UFC make sure this fight falls in a weight category or agreed upon catchweight or would the UFC consider having an openweight bout?

Beacuse isnt Gracie somewhere between 170-185 usually and I would think Severn, Shamrock, and Jimmerson are all 200+(I maybe wrong on that so feel free to correct me)

by bigdmmafan on Apr 16, 2011 7:21 PM EDT reply actions

You’re talking like there’s any chance of him fighting those guys. :)

by ihateemo on Apr 17, 2011 12:49 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions

Kinda off topic but why was Royce’s win vs Sakuraba never overturned? It was in california and he popped for roids…Doesn’t seem right that he gets to keep his win.

by Tats16 on Apr 16, 2011 7:30 PM EDT reply actions

Was not possible under the rules in place in California at the time

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by Forrest Lynn on Apr 16, 2011 7:41 PM EDT up reply actions

A Royce Gracie fight in 2011 is all of these things

A waste of time
A waste of card space
A waste of money

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by Forrest Lynn on Apr 16, 2011 7:41 PM EDT reply actions 4 recs

I'd also add

damaging to the UFC brand as a legitimate sporting institution and the “Superbowl of MMA”

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by pdl on Apr 16, 2011 7:45 PM EDT up reply actions

yeah..if he must fight just put him on the damn undercard so the brazilian fans can enjoy it. 2 old dudes on the main card will end up just being embarrassing.

by Tats16 on Apr 16, 2011 7:48 PM EDT up reply actions

The NBA had the old timers game at all star weekend. I don’t see the difference here.

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by Kefka on Apr 16, 2011 7:49 PM EDT up reply actions

Is this sarcasm?

They weren’t playing. Yeah if they sent Karrem or Magic out there to be schooled by Dwight or Lebron the NBA would be killed with bad press.

by bigdmmafan on Apr 16, 2011 7:52 PM EDT up reply actions

They were playing against each other, so if Royce fights another of the earlier ufcer’s it would be similar.

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by Kefka on Apr 16, 2011 7:54 PM EDT up reply actions

He's only 44.

Learn JiuJitsu, it's fun.

by RolloTomasi on Apr 16, 2011 9:30 PM EDT up reply actions

Randy is 87

Learn JiuJitsu, it's fun.

by RolloTomasi on Apr 16, 2011 9:30 PM EDT up reply actions

This is a UFC PPV headlined by one of the best pound for pound fighters today

with a battle of two recent former champions supporting it. Not an exhibition match. This isn’t Royce going in the TUF house, or the Fedor vs. Aoki exhibition. This is like if the Steelers put Kevin Greene in as a linebacker this February.

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by pdl on Apr 16, 2011 8:09 PM EDT up reply actions

It was during all star weekend, one of the primer events for the NBA, the “old timers” did not face the current crop of elite NBAers. Do the same with Royce, Your analogy does not make sense.

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by Kefka on Apr 16, 2011 8:34 PM EDT up reply actions

I honestly cant even think of what your talking about.

My understanding is NBA All Star Weekend has 3 events. Rookie/Sophmore game Friday, All Star Sataurday Night, and the All Star Game on Sunday.

The only thing that even comes to mind that might have had old timers is the celebrity all star game on Friday on ESPN.

by bigdmmafan on Apr 16, 2011 8:43 PM EDT up reply actions

They don’t have it anymore, it was replaced by the Rookie/Sop game. But the NHL still has theres in the Alumni game.

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by Kefka on Apr 16, 2011 8:44 PM EDT up reply actions

But you have to understand the difference. I dont care if it’s the pro bowl, the NBA, MLB, NHL All Star Game, and alumni game or whatever, those arent real matches. Nobody’s playing as hard as they can because the outcome doesnt matter.

Plus you always notice in these games no one plays defense because defense in almost every sport is what gets people hurt. I dont know because I’m not an NHL guy but how many times does a guy get checked hard(like in a real game) during this Alumni game? I would bet probably none because all these games are to have fun.

Now if Royce want to do the ADCC or a Fedor/Aoki – Fedor/Mousasi type exhibition match then fine but I dont care who the opponent is putting Royce out there where his opponents goal is gonna be to beat the shit out of him is stupid.

by bigdmmafan on Apr 16, 2011 8:58 PM EDT up reply actions

Well not much more to say here.

I hope they get Royce for UFC Rio, you don’t fair enough.

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by Kefka on Apr 16, 2011 9:09 PM EDT up reply actions

And the NHL also has a version of the old timers game, there almuni game.

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by Kefka on Apr 16, 2011 8:42 PM EDT up reply actions

This is clearly not a fight meant to make American PPV purchasers happy

So from that perspective you’re right.

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by Neil Manich on Apr 16, 2011 8:58 PM EDT up reply actions

speak for yourself

As long as he is matched against an interesting opponent it helps sell an already stellar card.

there are two types of mma fan.. the type that must see ’only the very best matched" fights.. ie everyone must be ranked or else there is no reason to fight. this fan is always surprised when a shitty card on paper is actually exciting when it happens

and the other type of fan.. you know the one that watches the fights for what they are.. drama and entertainment. That one appreciates sports but also realizes there would be no sport without the entertainment value and the fan that pays for it…

fortunately there are a LOT more of the second type of fan.

by waldog on Apr 16, 2011 10:54 PM EDT up reply actions 4 recs

Please do not let this happen. Let him make an appearance in the Octagon, receive some special award, snap Goldie’s arm and then leave.

"Every time I talk on the phone with someone who doesn’t know me, they call me "ma’am"." - Scott C. Broussard

by Earl Montclair on Apr 16, 2011 7:52 PM EDT reply actions 3 recs

Melendez is always mum when the UFC is being discussed, as if he's thinking to himself, "Fuck you all!"

by OhhhGLS on Apr 16, 2011 8:02 PM EDT reply actions

Nah.

He’s thinking "don’t wanna piss off the new boss’ and playing it close to the vest.

Smart move on his part.

by Steve4192 on Apr 16, 2011 11:44 PM EDT up reply actions

i totally wanna see this happen

cmon who doesnt love some freakshow, royce vs severn would be awesome

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by milk72 on Apr 16, 2011 8:20 PM EDT reply actions

Even in his advanced age,

Severn would demolish him

"Every time I talk on the phone with someone who doesn’t know me, they call me "ma’am"." - Scott C. Broussard

by Earl Montclair on Apr 16, 2011 8:23 PM EDT up reply actions

i think royce could put up a fight for awhile

it’ll be entertaining as hell though

"I have smoked weed with alot of UFC champions" - Joe Rogan
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by milk72 on Apr 16, 2011 8:30 PM EDT up reply actions

I am pro freak show.

I am free because I choose to be so-Me

by Kefka on Apr 16, 2011 8:34 PM EDT up reply actions

I want to see Roye-Sakuraba

Vote Quimby

by mason_beer on Apr 16, 2011 8:32 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs

that

would be incredibly slow, and not viewer friendly

by disinferno06 on Apr 16, 2011 9:44 PM EDT up reply actions

Please don't come to terms...

Though if he does fight on the card, have him on the prelims

by A K I R A on Apr 16, 2011 8:36 PM EDT via mobile reply actions

Have him open the Main Card vs Sakuraba. That’d be cool.

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by ChickenSalad on Apr 16, 2011 8:58 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs

YEP

BOOM. That would be awesome.

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by Neil Manich on Apr 16, 2011 8:59 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

Hall of Famer vs Hall of Famer

Royce Gracie vs Dan Severn!!!!

PLEEEEEEAAASE!!!!

Dan is (98-16),,
He is scheduled to fight Ryan Fortin 4/29 and Nate Woodger 5/20..

He’d be (100-16) in time for UFC Rio.
Very fitting final fight for Severn’s career.
Could retire in the UFC and do PR work.
Would be a great story.

by Richy Lujan on Apr 16, 2011 8:59 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs

Did you see the first Severn/Royce fight?

Fuck that.

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by Neil Manich on Apr 16, 2011 9:00 PM EDT up reply actions

that was 17 years ago. let it go.

and let them do it again!

by Richy Lujan on Apr 16, 2011 9:12 PM EDT up reply actions

I like this fight more than anything else.

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by zzwab on Apr 17, 2011 6:22 AM EDT up reply actions

Royce makes it pretty clear that it’s Hughes he wants for Rio. It will not end well for him this time either. I still hope he won’t be fighting again.

by Horselover Fat on Apr 16, 2011 9:46 PM EDT reply actions

bring in herschel walker

herschel vs royce, UFC’s first strikeforce acquisition! now that’s a battle for the ages

by BROCKLESNAR!!!!! on Apr 16, 2011 9:55 PM EDT reply actions

now that’s a battle for the agesd.

"Every time I talk on the phone with someone who doesn’t know me, they call me "ma’am"." - Scott C. Broussard

by Earl Montclair on Apr 16, 2011 11:43 PM EDT up reply actions

It should be against Bustamante

I don’t think a fight is appropriate;however, if there has to be one why not both Brazilian UFC champs with a focus on submissions?

On another note, Tyson would be just plain awesome…

by theBarbarian17 on Apr 16, 2011 10:17 PM EDT reply actions

How about Cung Le?

Jab, jab, towards, short, fierce.

by asa on Apr 16, 2011 11:25 PM EDT reply actions

Cung Le would kick the shit out of Royce.

by Tats16 on Apr 16, 2011 11:50 PM EDT up reply actions

Cung Lee will hopefully be replacing Okami so he can fight Silva…duh.

by hexbreaker on Apr 18, 2011 12:00 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions 1 recs

this is a waste of time

who cares about this fight? i dont even think Brazilians care much about an old 1 dimensional Royce

by elmojo on Apr 17, 2011 12:19 AM EDT reply actions

Give him RUMBLE JOHNSON !!!

by casualfan1022 on Apr 17, 2011 2:35 AM EDT via mobile reply actions

You have a diabolic mind

Rumble would give him an extreme makeover.

Let the fighters fight, let the referees ref, but dear God, don't let the judges judge.

by halitosis on Apr 17, 2011 10:13 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions

If they are going to give him a fight, have him fight this man:

"Caol Uno was like Mutoh. He developed into a star overseas and then returned to his home country a much bigger deal. Dokonjonosuke Mishima is like Kobashi because they both do moonsaults. Don Frye is like Stan Hansen because they are both fat dumb rednecks with mustaches." - Jonathan Snowden

by RagingNoodles on Apr 17, 2011 3:44 AM EDT reply actions