On August 27th of this year, The Ultimate Fighting Championship will hold their first card in the Brazilian city of Rio De Janeiro, the promotions first under the Zuffa banner and first since the "Ultimate Brazil" card back in 1996.
Since then, Royce Gracie has come about to announce he's actively campaigning for a fight on the night's card, with Dana White confirming that negotiations are ongoing. An online poll suggested such names as BJ Penn, Chris Lytle, Matt Serra, Matt Hughes and the very conspicuous choice of "Other".
Its the choice of "Other" that makes this so interesting. Since Gracie first stepped into the Octagon and showed the world, how barbaric it might have seemed then, that ground skills are just as important as throwing a punch in a real fight, millions of people have decided to take to Dojos across the world, participating in seminars, grappling tournaments, and world championships. Though Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is still a important part of learning the "game" of MMA, it has since been downgraded to just a facade of it, along with boxing, muay thai, and wrestling.
In recent days, 2 men that have both suffered losses at the hands of the Brazilian, Boxer Art "One Glove" Jimmerson and Olympic Wrestler Dan "The Beast" Severn, have come out and made claim they wanted a shot at the legendary Brazilian. Jimmerson, if you MMA historians remember, was the participant in the first Ultimate Fighting Championship that wore one Boxing Glove (hence his name), while Severn was 3 fights in to what has become an illustrious career (all that night) when he fought Gracie at UFC 4. At 52 years old, Severn still fights 3 times a year and is nearing 100 win plateau, which is an unheard of achievement in a sport that now perhaps lasts 30 or 35 fights (if one's body and chin hold up). He told MMAJunkie that a fight with Gracie would be "all-out ground war – two legends of the octagon can thrill and amaze the UFC audience of yesterday and today, one last time."
Unfortunately, the article on Junkie also points out that with today's weight cut rules, it would be very difficult for Severn to make the 170 lb limit that Gracie would probably prefer, given his frail, light frame. If Jimmerson and Severn truly want to make an appearance at the event, I say sure. But, for nostalgic purposes, throw in another name, like say Dave Beneteau, Kimo Leopoldo or even (dare I say it) Ken Shamrock, and have a one-night "Legends Tournament".
Before you sit there and want to commit me for this idea, just hear me out. It could be single elimination, 4 men (which means the 2 victors would have to fight twice), with a catchweight at 200 lbs. Also, Dana White has long said he'd like to see the end of elbows in competition, so let's experiment with that rule, as we all know as you get older, bones become more brittle. It could be Jimmerson, Severn, Gracie and Shamrock. Pair them off and have those 2 bouts as your undercard bouts on Spike TV, with the 2 winners meeting in the co-main event later on in the night.
I know this sounds like an insane idea, but wouldn't you rather see a 44 year old Gracie lose to a 52 year old Severn than a younger, fresher BJ Penn?
Until next time, Fight Fans.
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