MMA pioneer Renzo Gracie may be heading back to the Octagon.
The 45-year-old Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu master told MMAJunkie.com that he is preparing for his second career bout in the UFC.
“I’m getting ready to fight again,” Gracie told the website. “I have a six-fight contract with no predetermined time frame. I still have five fights to go, so I plan to jump back into it.”
Gracie last fought in April of 2010, taking on former welterweight champ Matt Hughes at UFC 112. Hughes defeated Gracie in the third round via technical knockout.
The event, which was held in Abu Dhabi, came after the emirates’ government-owned Flash Entertainment purchased 10 percent of the UFC. Gracie was rumored to have been a key player in the deal due to his relationship as the jiu-jitsu coach of Sheikh Tahnoon Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the son of former United Arab Emirates president Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan.
Tahnoon is also the founder of the world-renowned Abu Dhabi Combat Club grappling tournament.
Many in the MMA community thought that Gracie’s six-fight contract was a ceremonial gesture for his help with the deal. But the former Pride and IFL fighter told MMAJunkie.com that, although he helped the UFC out, no contract was guaranteed.
“I think it was my history in the sport, that’s what allowed me to get a nice contract with them, to represent the UFC,” Gracie said.
UFC officials have yet to announce Gracie’s return, and the MMA legend is currently not listed on the promotion’s welterweight roster on its website.
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