GRACIEMAG.com went straight to the source to find out what Roger Gracie’s next MMA commitment would be. According to the black belt, the deal is nearly sealed for him to return to the ring against Olympic gold medal winning judoka and former Pride star Hikehiko Yoshida. The battle will take place on March 5th, during an event called Sengoku, overseen by World Victory Road, to take place in Japan.
“I’ve already accepted all the terms, I’m sending the forms back,” said Roger, direct from England. Preparations for the fight have already begun and the final touches will be made in February, in New York. “He’s doing really well, and training a lot,” guarantees his friend Braulio Estima.
The battle with the Olympic judo star will be the second professional MMA fight in the current Jiu-Jitsu black belt absolute world champion’s career. His victorious debut took place in December of 2006, when, at Bodog Fight, Roger submitted the experienced Ron Waterman with an armbar at 3:38 min. Yoshida too has been away from the MMA ring since December of 2006. On the occasion, he was defeated by James Thompson (TKO – punches), at Pride Shockwave 2006.
World Victory Road (WVR) is an organization created in Japan in October of last year, and is being pointed out by many as a possible substitute for Pride in the country. Other fighters being linked to the organization are Sanae Kikura and Makoto Takimoto, who recently beat Murilo Bustamante at Yarennoka.
Stay tuned and soon we will be back with more information regarding Roger Gracie and Sengoku.
