His debut in the most prestigious MMA event in the world will be against Jiu-Jitsu superstar Roger Gracie.

Fighting a grappling ace is not news to Kennedy, who has a 15-4 overall record.

In August 2010, he went the distance in a Strikeforce 5-round title match against Ronaldo “Jacaré” Souza, losing by unanimous decision.

That fight is on Gracie’s mind, who even mentioned it during an exclusive interview he gave GRACIEMAG.com this week.

So lets review the battle between Kennedy and Jacaré.

Part 1

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XMtJtbU1z1w

Part 2

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BzkrPXP3Ays

Roger Gracie, Coach Josuel Distak and Ronaldo Jacaré in Oklahoma on the days leading up to weigh-ins (personal archive photo)

Former rivals from their days in competition Jiu-Jitsu, where they made their mark on the sport’s history, Roger Gracie and Ronaldo “Jacaré” Souza fought for the same dream: to become absolute champion of the world. Both of them succeeded.

With time the two aces decided to migrate to MMA, where they carry on in their battle to the top. And both are already knocking on the door of the world’s premier MMA promotion, the UFC, as their tenure at Strikeforce ends with their participation on the company’s farewell card this Saturday, Jan. 12, in Oklahoma.

This Thursday, the two champions met up amicably, despite the pre-weigh-in hunger they were feeling. Alongside boxing coach Josuel Distak, Gracie and Jacaré sat down at the same table and exchanged pleasantries.

Five matches between Roger Gracie and Ronaldo Jacaré

Roger and Jacaré have faced each other in Jiu-Jitsu on five occasions, one of them without the gi—the absolute final at the 2005 ADCC. The one that caused the biggest hoopla came before then, though, in the absolute division at the 2004 World Championship.

Gracie and Jacaré made it to the final of the black belt absolute and starred in an epic duel where Jacaré had his arm dislocated by a Gracie armbar. Nevertheless, he held out till the end to win his first gold medal as a black belt.

On weight

The two aces have a date with the scale today, when official weigh-ins for the last Strikeforce event go down at Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City.

Strikeforce:  Marquardt vs. Saffiedine
Chesapeake Energy Arena, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
January 12, 2013

• Nate Marquardt vs. Tarec Saffiedine
• Daniel Cormier vs. Dion Staring
• Josh Barnett vs. Nandor Guelmino
• Gegard Mousasi vs. Mike Kyle
• Ronaldo Jacaré vs. Ed Herman

Under card (only on Showtime Extreme)

• Pat Healy vs. Kurt Holobaugh
• Roger Gracie vs. Anthony Smith
• Tim Kennedy vs. Trevor Smith
• Ryan Couture vs. K.J. Noons

Under card (not broadcast on TV)

• Jorge Gurgel vs. Adriano Martins
• Michael Bravo vs. Estevan Payan

For more UFC and MMA coverage,
visit GRACIEMAG.com’s Choke MMA section

GMA member store Jiu-Jitsu Pro Gear is not only about selling fight gear.

They also do their best to promote BJJ and MMA knowledge.

This weekend, tehy will gather in Manhattan Beach, California, two superstars of the two fighting styles.

Two times absolute world champion Ronaldo “Jacaré” Souza and MMA legend Marco Ruas will teach special seminars.

Tomorrow, May 20th, Jacaré will be teaching a BJJ seminar.

On Saturday, May 21nd, he will be joined by Marco Ruas for another four hours of class.

Jacaré returns on Sunday for another two hours of training at Werdum Combat Team, in Venice, Ca.

Spaces are limited so you have to hurry.

For more info, go to jiujitsuprogear.com