UFC 112: Renzo Gracie - “For the Love of the Sport”

Renzo Gracie faces Matt Hughes at UFC 112 on Saturday night

> Don't miss our UFC 112 predictions and find the official UFC 112 fight results after the fights are complete here at Pro Fighting Fans!

It is very rare that a fighter as popular as Renzo Gracie built his legacy without any help from the UFC marketing machine. Of course not everyone has the last name, Gracie, to help either. It is true, however, that this Saturday at UFC 112, Renzo Gracie will be making his octagon debut after 18 years of fighting elsewhere.

Find great unique MMA t-shirts & clothing online from Intimidation Clothing!

Renzo will fight another MMA legend and future UFC Hall-of-Famer, Matt Hughes, in his welterweight debut. Hughes is also very seasoned, at age 36, and already owns a TKO victory against Renzo’s cousin and maybe most popular Gracie, Royce.

Hughes dominated a past-his-prime Royce Grace at UFC 60 in May 2006 with his strength and muscle. He used his significant size advantage in controlling Gracie for the entire 1 st round. He then, finally mounted and finished Gracie at the 4:39 mark of round 1 for his 40 th career victory.

This time around it will be a different member of the famed jiu-jitsu clan and a different game plan. Renzo will be fighting for the first time in over 3 years, and has fought only 3 fights over the past four years. Needless to say, he has been on the sidelines over the last few years.

Although Gracie has been inactive for some time, he insists that he has had more than enough time to prepare for his trip overseas. Also on Gracie’s side will be the loyal crowd support. He has been traveling to Abu Dhabi, the site of UFC 112, for many years now and is well known in that area mostly for his participation as trainer for several political figures in the United Arab Emirates.

A victory for Gracie would be great, and he is more than deserving of it, but, Renzo Gracie is not trying to make a run at GSP or his belt anytime soon. He is in it more for the sport and challenge rather than the personal recognition that comes with it. So, if the 43 year-old happened to fall at UFC 112, it still may not be the last time we see him inside the octagon.

> Look to Pro Fighting Fans for the official UFC 112 results after the fights are complete and check out the expanded selection of UFC clothing & merchandise available online!

The last scenario seems less likely, especially since it has been rumored that his future is in the lightweight division. Gracie will almost certainly be featured in “super fights” similar to this one against Hughes.

While the “Gracie vs. Hughes” main card bout is not what it once was, it is still a chance to see two MMA legends battle it out on the world’s largest stage. This bout is not going to vault either fighter into a title bout, but at this stage it shouldn’t be expected to. Let’s just take this bout for what it is and enjoy an old-fashioned fight that was made simply for our enjoyment.

By Nick Russell
ProFighting-fans.com Senior MMA Staff Writer