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Renzo Gracie wants to fight again, UFC president Dana White wonders why

MMA and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu legend Renzo Gracie recently announced his intentions to return to fighting, and UFC president Dana White questioned his decision.

USA TODAY Sports

At age 46 with a resume extending back to 1992, Renzo Gracie is an iconic figure in combat sports. Following a three-fight win streak in 2006-07 under the IFL and EliteXC banners, Gracie's last outing was a 3rd-round TKO loss to Matt Hughes at UFC 112. Renzo recently appeared on "The MMA Hour" with Ariel Helwani and professed his desire to get back in the cage again.

Renzo's comments, as transcribed by MMAFighting.com:

Believe it, there's nothing that I want to do more than to be back in the cage, to be back fighting. I just love doing that. Life has been pushing me everywhere but in that direction, but now I'm getting so tired and frustrated with everything else that I'm going to just bury myself into a mat and train the whole day, and do what I love, which is training and fighting. For sure, I'll be fighting again.

Man, I've just begun training again and I'm feeling good. I had a few problems in the family and now I got everything tuned up, everything is getting better. So I'm looking to be in top shape in three or four months from now, and from there I'll set up a date.

At the UFC 168 media day, Dana White shared his opinion on Renzo Gracie's statements.

I have to ask Renzo Gracie why? Renzo, you've been around forever, you've accomplished so many things. You have the respect of the entire combat world in every country. I just don’t know why he wants to come back at his age and fight again. I mean, he lost badly to Matt Hughes, who was at the end of his career too.


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