Bellator Fighting Championship has added another notable name to its roster, as Pride vet Daniel Gracie has signed with the promotion and will compete in its upcoming, season four, light-heavyweight tournament.
“The Gracie family has truly influenced MMA as we know it today and I’m proud to say that heritage continues when Daniel steps into the Bellator cage to try to become our Light Heavyweight Champion” Bellator Chairman and CEO Bjorn Rebney was quoted saying in a press release. “A Gracie back in the tournament format is reminiscent of the days when the Gracie’s dominated MMA and that’s something I’m excited to see”.
Gracie (5-2-1) recently returned to MMA competition for the first time in three years, and tapped out Martin Wojcik with a first round, rear-naked-choke at Israel Fighting Championship’s debut card on November 9th. Gracie’s previous bout took place in November, 2006, when he was stopped by Allan Goes while competing under the International Fight League banner. The fourth degree BJJ black belt also holds wins over Wes Sims, Wataru Sakata and Shinsuke Nakamura.
“This Bellator tournament is the Gracies getting back to our origins,” said Gracie. “The tournament is the way the Gracies got started in MMA. That will give me extra motivation to win this tournament.”
“I'm imagining myself winning this tournament, I have nothing but winning this tournament on my mind right now,” said Gracie. “Of course I know that anything can happen in MMA, but one thing I guarantee everyone that tunes in is that I'm going to put on a great show. You can bet on that.”
No information as to when Gracie will make his Bellator debut was given.
