By Eduardo Ferreira

MMA idol and considered the “father of UFC” by the president Dana White, the legendary Royce Gracie was cheered by journalists and during the press conference of UFC Rio, which happened yesterday afternoon on the Wonderful City, to announce the return of the event to Brazil on August 27th. On an exclusive interview given to TATAME TV after the press conference, Gracie commented the return of Ultimate to Brazil after 13 years, talked about the possibility of returning to the octagon that made him famous and revealed his most special wish: watching an UFC’s edition on Maracanã, stage that made his father, Helio Gracie, famous in the past. Check below the special chat with the legend.

You came to Brazil only for the announcement of UFC Rio. What are your expectations for this event?

Man, I came exclusively for that. The guys have told me that in Australia the tickets went off before they even start selling it, they’ll only begin to sell it on Friday. Can you imagine what will happen here?

Your father fought in a crowded Maracanã. The expectation now, 75 years later, is of a full house, right?

At Maracanã… In Japan, you can put 90 thousand people on the arena.

Who would you put to fight on this card?

I don’t know... That’s why I’m not the match maker (laughs).

But who do you think that could be on this card?

Many local guys, there’re many talented guys here. Of course you have to bring some guys from abroad, but you have to have many local guys fighting here.

Much have changed in the sport when it comes to the rules, the number of people doing it... How do you see this growth after so much time since UFC last came here?

My father has always agreed with this. This is the sport that’s been growing more within the martial arts. It’s the symbol of the sport to the world. The first is soccer, but people like martial arts, Boxing, Taekwondo, Jiu-Jitsu, Wrestling... It’s what people like. It’s on our blood.

What everybody wants to know is there’s a chance of you returning to UFC. You haven’t fight since UFC 60 and now UFC has done 124 editions. Will you return on this comeback of UFC to Brazil?

We’re negotiating it (laughs).