K. Gracie (right) will follow in the footsteps of his legendary father (left) (Photo: Reproduction Instagram khonrygracie)
The fighter Royce gracie He hasn't officially retired yet, but he already has an official successor in MMA. At the age of 20, Khonry Gracie, son of the first UFC champion, signed a contract to make his professional debut at Bellator, the organization for which his father works as an ambassador and where Royce fought his last fight – a knockout victory over eternal arch-rival Ken Shamrock , in February 2016. The information is from the Combate channel website.
Khonry is no stranger to the world of MMA. In addition to being raised in the industry, the fighter already made his debut as an amateur in September this year, when he beat Ben Clark by unanimous decision, at the Attitude MMA event. On that occasion, Gracie dominated his opponent standing up and showed little of the jiu-jitsu that made his family famous in the sport in a duel valid for welterweight.
Khonry's debut will take place on January 20th, at Bellator 192, an event that will feature the first round of the tournament that will define the promotion's next heavyweight champion (with the fight between Rampage jackson and Chael Sonnen). In the main fight of the show, the Brazilian Douglas lima will defend his welterweight belt for the second time in his new reign, against former UFC fighter Rory McDonald. Khonry's opponent has not yet been announced by the promotion. He will become the fourth Gracie on the Bellator roster – besides his own father, Neiman Gracie, who trains with Renzo in New York, and Ralek, son of UFC creator Rorion Gracie, Royce's brother.
