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LAS VEGAS, January 16 - No one who ever saw it will ever forget the first Ultimate Fighting Championship in 1993, when a skinny young man from Brazil shocked the sports world with a mix of amazing jiu-jitsu and a warrior’s spirit.
His name was Royce Gracie.
And now, 11 years later, he’s back.
In May, the legendary hall of famer who basically launched mixed martial arts in this country returns to the Octagon for the first time since 1995 when he faces UFC welterweight champion Matt Hughes in a battle for the ages that will have every fight fan around the world glued to their television sets in anticipation.
Gracie, 39, compiled an amazing 11-1-1 record in the UFC during his two-year stay in the organization, defeating fellow hall of famers Ken Shamrock and Dan Severn along the way. Even more amazing were Gracie’s three tournament wins in UFC 1, UFC 2, and UFC 4, when he defeated three, four, and three opponents, respectively, in the same night, a record that will never be touched. Returning to active competition in 2000 after a five-year absence, Gracie has recently thrilled fight fans in Japan, but in May, he’s finally coming home.
“This is my house,” said Gracie. “I built it.”
In Matt Hughes though, Gracie may be facing the toughest challenge of his illustrious career. A two-time UFC welterweight champion with a combined seven defenses to his credit, the 32-year-old standout has defeated a who’s who of MMA over his six-year career such as Carlos Newton, Mach Sakurai, Sean Sherk, Frank Trigg (twice) and Georges St. Pierre, and a victory over Gracie would only cement his legacy as one of the greatest fighters to step into the Octagon.
I think it’s a good matchup for me,” said Hughes. “I’m gonna work on my hands and try to keep it standing. I don’t think he’s dangerous on his feet and that’s where I want to keep him. I want to keep him at his weakest game. Everybody knows that he’s a Gracie and that he’s got a great ground game. Some people are gonna say he’s washed up and he’s not what he used to be, but you’ve got to respect his ground game.”
Is Gracie ready for Hughes though?
“There’s only one way to find out,” said Gracie, “and that’s why we’re here.”
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