At 47, Renzo Gracie guarantees: 'After the fight against Sakuraba, I will return to the UFC'

R. Gracie (photo) wants to return to the UFC soon. Photo: Josh Hedges/UFC

Even at 47 years old and without fighting MMA professionally since 2010, Renzo Gracie intends to resume his career, and in style – returning directly to the UFC, the sport's biggest stage today. For the objective, Renzo even set a date: right after the duel of submission against Kazushi Sakuraba, which takes place at Metamoris 5, scheduled for November 22nd.

"I'm very busy. I started a pharmaceutical company, something very big that is taking off and working very well. I had family issues that I had to deal with, and I couldn't train. My son got sick and I had to stay away from everything for a year. He's much better now, and will probably be in my corner. But now everything is going well and I'm ready to kick some ass. And soon, believe me, after the fight against Sakuraba, I will return to the UFC. I'm serious, my friends, believe me”, said Renzo, in an interview with the podcast “The MMA Hour”.

On November 22nd, Renzo will have his rematch against Kazushi Sakuraba, at the hands of the man who suffered his second professional defeat – in a fight held at PRIDE 10, in August 2000. On that occasion, the Brazilian was submitted with a kimura by “Gracie Hunter ”, but now hopes to return the setback. “As our last fight was very even, and I lost narrowly, in my mind whoever wins the next one will have won both. He's a gentleman, a really nice guy. But, if I have the chance, I will strangle him or break his arm, in retribution for what he did to mine (laughs)”, he joked.

Renzo Gracie has a professional record of 13 wins, seven losses, one draw and one fight without results. In his last time in the Octagon, in 2010, Renzo was knocked out by the former welterweight champion Matt hugs, in a fight held at UFC 112, in Abu Dhabi (UAE). Son of Robson, grandson of Carlos and nephew of Hélio Gracie, the sixth degree black belt is two-time champion of the ADCC, the main grapple (grappling) on ​​the planet, winning the title in the under-77kg category in 2000 and 2001.