Royce Gracie / Photo: Carlos Ozório
Royce Gracie will be paid tribute by the UFC. A DVD (or blue ray) with the promotion’s first star will be launched on May 10. “UFC: Ultimate Royce Gracie” will include some of the fighter’s most memorable fights, behind-the-scenes footage and interviews in a six-hour release. Some of the fights featured include Ken Shamrock, Kimo Leopoldo and an epic 90 minutes against Kazushi Sakuraba at the now-defunct Pride FC.
“Royce is the godfather! He’s the guy who started all this,” says the organization’s president, Dana White.
Lesnar goes on the attack against Cigano
On the set of The Ultimate Fighter reality show, the relationship between Brock Lesnar and Junior Cigano went smoothly, which GRACIEMAG.com confirmed for itself on a visit to the TUF gym. However, it seems the climate has cooled between the to opponents-to-be.
“We didn’t have much contact. His team would train at different times from mine. I could see him at the other end of the octagon and that made me more confident. I could see Cigano is not someone who can stop me. He’s a good kid, respectable, I don’t have anything against him, but he’s in my way in my fighting for the title again,” fired Lesnar on the “ESPN First Take” television program.
Thiago Silva admits to banned substances
The allegations surrounding Brazil’s Thiago Silva doping in the UFC continue. The result of the urinalysis was inconsistent with human urine, according to the Nevada Athletic Commission. The fighter is now under temporary suspension until April 7, the date of his audience, and the result of his fight with Brandon Vera was already declared a no contest. In an interview with MMAJunkie, Silva comments on the episode and admits his error:
“We make decisions every day of our lives, some good and others bad. When you make a bad one, you can make the situation worse by trying to cover it up or lying about it. Or you can own up to it with an honest explanation, accept the consequences of your actions, apologize to the people affected by it, learn from it and move on. I’m choosing the second option.
“I used a urine adulterant when giving a sample following my fight with Brandon Vera. I did so in an attempt to alter the results of the test and knowingly broke the rules of the Nevada (State) Athletic Commission. This was a terrible decision on my part for which I will be punished. I am prepared to accept this punishment, learn from it and move on. I apologize to the commission, the UFC, Brandon Vera and the MMA fans,” he is quoted on MMAJunkie as saying.