UFC 310, which takes place this Saturday (7), brings the return of Kron Gracie to the octagon after almost 600 days. Coming off consecutive losses to Cub Swanson and Charles Jourdain , the Brazilian hasn't won a fight since he finished Alex Caceres in his debut in 2019. For his return, Kron has very important support, even if from afar: from his father Rickson Gracie.
The legendary jiu-jitsu icon, who recently turned 66 and is battling Parkinson's disease, said in an interview with MMA Fighting that he hasn't participated in his son's training camp for a long time, even before he became ill. He revealed that he felt Kron wanted to distance himself, perhaps to disconnect from the role he had played his entire life.
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“I’m rooting for him to have a great fight. Even though I’m not connected to him the way I wanted to be, the last time we talked, I felt he needed space. He needed to be Kron Gracie . He didn’t want to be ‘Rickson Gracie’s son’ anymore. And I accept that as growth in his life, a need to prove himself and be happy on his path. I’m giving him that respect, that space. I continue to root for him, wishing him the best, but now as an eyewitness, no longer present. I see that we are aligned, but he is on his path and I’m rooting for his victory,” said Rickson.
In Las Vegas, Kron faces Bryce Mitchell at UFC 310 in the featherweight division (up to 65,7kg). The first member of the Gracie clan to win inside the octagon since Royce Gracie in 1994, Kron reacted to his father's comments in an interview with 'Mike Heck' of MMA Fighting.
“Yeah, I don’t, I think that’s a little bit of a lie, but I love my dad and he’s a huge foundation of my life and everything that I’ve become. So, you know, I wish him the best and I wish him good health,” Kron said.
At 36 years old, the former world champion on the mats holds an MMA record of five wins and two losses.
Rickson Gracie fights against Parkinson's. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram
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