Royce Gracie Kazushi Sakuraba Dynamite USA” src=”http://www.ultimate-mma-equipment.com/image-files/44924.jpg” alt=” width=”500″ height=”333″ />
(“Steven Seagal can eat a dick.” Photoprops: Sherdog)

Quick update on Royce Gracie’s rumored appearance at the “UFC Rio” event in August: The Octagon pioneer did an interview with UOL Esporte this week, in which he claimed that negotiations for a return fight are in the final stages. As Gracie said:

“(UFC Rio) would be the perfect place to do my last fight. I never fought in Rio de Janeiro and I couldn’t be more psyched. We are negotiating (the fight deal), but we should have it finalized in two weeks. We only had an initial contact and I don’t even have an opponent yet, but we should have that finalized soon…My weight is the same as it was twenty years ago [80kg], I am still training, keeping the blade sharp. I follow a very strict diet. I never drank, never party, Carnaval, none of that… I’m ready to fight.”

Of course, this contradicts earlier reports claiming that the 44-year-old legend’s participation was unlikely. And to be honest, it still sounds like bullshit. For the hundredth time, who is the UFC going to find for Royce to fight? Who?? If it’s not an old-schooler like Sakuraba or one of the Shamrocks, this would be a very bad idea. But then why would Gracie publicly state that he was two weeks away from finalizing a deal, unless it’s legit? We’ll find out soon enough…

After the jump: Royce Gracie’s last MMA victory that wasn’t immediately followed by a positive steroid test.

(Royce Gracie vs. Akebono, K-1 Premium 2004 Dynamite!!, 12/31/04)