Report: Roger Gracie Signs with UFC as Light Heavyweight

GracieMag reported the news Friday on Twitter, revealing that the former Abu Dhabi Combat Club Submission Wrestling World Championships gold medalist would join the UFC’s 205-pound ranks. No debut date for the Brazilian jiu-jitsu ace was mentioned, but the outlet stated that Gracie (Pictured) could find himself training with longtime middleweight champion Anderson Silva before he enters the Octagon for the first time.

Born in Brazil but now residing in England, Gracie is one of the world’s best grapplers. In 2005, the 30-year-old won both the heavyweight and absolute divisions at the ADCC submission grappling championships, submitting Shinya Aoki, Fabricio Werdum, Alexandre Ribeiro and Ronaldo Souza en route to the absolute title.

Gracie racked up a 4-0 record to begin his MMA career, submitting Ron Waterman with an armbar in his 2006 pro debut. The Brazilian then took out an undersized Yuki Kondo in 2008 before finishing former UFC heavyweight king Kevin Randleman in his 2010 Strikeforce debut. Another submission win -- this time over UFC veteran Trevor Prangley -- would come before Gracie tasted MMA defeat for the first time, falling by knockout to onetime Strikeforce light heavyweight champion Muhammed Lawal on Sept. 10.