Roger Gracie released from UFC

[The Great Cochrane]

Guilherme Cruz - Roger Gracie had only one opportunity inside the Octagon, and that was enough for Dana White and Joe Silva.

Gracie moved to the UFC after Zuffa purchased Strikeforce, seeking the first win of his family in the Octagon since 1994. Considered the one of the best fighters in the history of jiu-jitsu, with 10 world titles in black belt competition, Roger dropped to 6-2 in MMA with a unanimous decision loss to Tim Kennedy at UFC 162. It was his last fight on the contract, and the UFC opted not to renew.

Combate first reported the release, and Gracie confirmed the news to MMAFighting.com.

"My contract expired after my last fight and I kind of expected (to be released) after that fight," Gracie told MMAFighting.com. "They spoke to my managers but didn’t reach a deal, so my contract wasn’t renewed."

Roger, who turns 32 next month, guaranteed he will keep fighting.

"I’m deciding what to do next," he said. "I will keep fighting MMA because that’s what I chose to do. I will see where to go now. There’s nothing set yet."

The Brazilian, who started his MMA career at heavyweight, moved down to light heavyweight when he signed with Strikeforce. After his first loss in MMA to Muhammad "King Mo" Lawal in 2011, he decided to drop again to 185 pounds, but struggled to make weight in his three middleweight bouts.

"That weight cut affected me a lot in this last fight, so I don’t know," said Gracie about his future. "I’ll do some tests on the next two or three months then I’ll decide in which weight class I will fight. I always cut from 220 pounds (to 185 pounds). If I manage to keep my weight lower than that it will be a lot easier to cut. If not, I’ll move back (to light heavyweight)."

If I could say I learned anything about the Gracie family history (especially after watching Royce's DVD and paying close attention to them) I'd say they definitely don't shine in competition.

If I was Roger, I'd go back to jiu jitsu.

 

[Ricky Smarks]

I don't think the man should have been cutting so much weight. Fight in whatever weight class you can compete in healthily and train hard to get back in the octagon.

 

[Fuji Vice]

He'll be debuting in TNA next week.

 

[The Great Cochrane]

He'll be debuting in TNA next week.

ALL FUCKING HELL WILL FREEZE OVER THE DAY I EVER SEE A GRACIE IN A WRESTLING RING!!! -_-"

 

[Wang Chung]

He'll be debuting in TNA next week.

I could see that happening by the way they handle things

Sent from my PG86100 using Tapatalk 4 Beta

 

[The Great Cochrane]

If that ever happened, I'll bet every Gracie currently living would all circle beat his big ass.

 

[Ricky Smarks]

We mind as well start calling it lol TNMMA! :

 

[Postman Dave]

If that ever happened, I'll bet every Gracie currently living would all circle beat his big ass.

Considering CM Punk trains with them and Eve Torres is engaged to one of them, I'm surprised they'd be so anti-wrestling.

 

[The Great Cochrane]

CM Punk does entry level jiu jitsu. It just so happens that he has enough money that he can train at probably the best gracie jiu jitsu academy with Rener. As for Eve, well, didn't she leave wrestling to promote gracie jiu jitsu?

I do think it's pretty cool watching Punk walk out wearing a GJJ sweater though, good on him. As far as the Gracies returning the favour well... I'm pretty sure that'll never happen. But if there's any Gracie that belongs in wrestling, it'd be Rolles Gracie after Renzo labeled his UFC 109 performance "embarrassing".

 

[Ricky Smarks]

@Red Alex do me a favor and stop saying things like "if any MMA star belongs in wrestling it's ... because his .... was embarrassing."

You're pretty much shitting on wrestling and I'd appreciate it. Thanks.

 

[The Great Cochrane]

It wasn't a knock on wrestling, it's a clear statement from Renzo himself.

He obviously couldn't impress the Gracies in the octagon so he needs to pursue other options.. maybe jiu jitsu's one of them or possibly wrestling. I personally didn't think he did too bad, it just so happened he wasn't in shape and gassed in the second round. Maybe you stop putting words in my mouth.

 

[Ricky Smarks]

It wasn't a knock on wrestling, it's a clear statement from Renzo himself.

He obviously couldn't impress the Gracies in the octagon so he needs to pursue other options.. maybe jiu jitsu's one of them or possibly wrestling. Maybe you stop putting words in my mouth.

I read it just fine. You claim MMA stars come to wrestling when they can't hack it in MMA anymore. It's not just this one post either.

I just want to point out Ken Shamrock came over when he was still hot and was a top notch pro wrestler.

Although Shamrock actually wanted to learn the craft, unlike guys like King Mo and Rampage. Which is why he worked and they won't.

EDIT:
I see you edited your post! :

I didn't put any word in your mouth, you make these claims a lot.

 

[The Great Cochrane]

Chael Sonnen belongs in WWE.

He's a top contender and could easily do wonders for it. You happy?

 

[Ricky Smarks]

Chael Sonnen belongs in WWE.

He's a top contender and could easily do wonders for it. You happy?

Sure, but I'd rather he go to TNA. WWE is an MMA free zone and I'm happy with it. Unless Chael goes to a training school and learns the craft like Ken Shamrock.

Shamrock was a dynamite pro wrestler. No MMA talent has transitioned over like him.

 

[The Great Cochrane]

Well, he won't go to TNA because he's not in Bellator. Besides, WWE has promoted boxers in the past.. why not MMA fighters?

I'm sure Chael could do it, he's definitely expressed the interest to and considering his drive I could see him surpassing Shamrock in that department.