One of the biggest stars of the Gracie family is gearing for a return to the competitive scene. Having just witnessed his cousin Rickson Gracie receiving the red belt Renzo commented on it to Fox Sports Brazil as was live broadcasted via their facebook.

Renzo was not one to shy away from his opinions saying that while he doesn’t question Rickson’s right to red belt – he wouldn’t have accepted the honor. As graciemag transcribed:

“Rickson can and deserves to wear the belt he wants. He can. And he deserves it. But if I were in his place, I wouldn’t have accepted it.  “

According to Renzo and Royler Gracie, in Brazilian jiu-jitsu the red belt is reserved “for those whose influence and fame takes them to the pinnacle of the art”. It is awarded in lieu of a ninth and tenth degree black belt. If a practitioner receives his or her black belt at 19 years old, the earliest they could expect to receive a ninth degree red belt would be at the age of 67. Rickson Gracie is currently 58 years old but his influence on the gentle art is immesurable.

Renzo Gracie with Mario Filho and the narrator Eder Reis at the FOX Sports studios. Photo: Disclosure

Renzo also criticized the state of Brazilian Judo given that newaza was what put American team over the top in cases of Travis Stevens and Kayla Harrison. But perhaps most shocking was what he revealed subsequently. At age 50 and about 80 kilograms Renzo will be returning to MMA after his ADCC superfight. Of course the superfight is currently hanging in mid air given they still haven’t pinned down a replacement for Matt Hughes.

“I’ll be back soon. MMA. Of course, Scott Coker made me an offer, One FC too, but I still have a contract with the UFC. I can not divulge either where or with whom, even because I do not know, but after ADCC I return to MMA,”