Brazilian star Kron Gracie is set to make his UFC return in May, where he will fight Canada’s Charles Jourdain (13-6-1) at UFC 288.
Just when everyone thought Gracie (5-1) is nearing his final days in MMA, the jiujitsu black belt has agreed to enter the cage for the first time since his last fight in October 2019. He was inactive for three-and-a-half years.
Kron Gracie (5-1) is back for the first time since October 2019.
He will fight May 6 vs. Charles Jourdain (13-6-1) at #UFC288 in Newark, per promotion officials. pic.twitter.com/CoEwRdoDUM
— Nolan King (@mma_kings) March 7, 2023
The 34-year-old was a late bloomer in the MMA world. He got his UFC contract in 2019 at the age of 30, at which point he scored a submission win over Alex Caceres in the first round. He then went on to lose to Cub Swanson the same year.
UFC 288 will be hosted at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. A bantamweight title fight between current champion Aljamain Sterling and former titlist Henry Cejudo is most likely to be featured as the main event. If ‘Triple C’ is unable to crack a deal with Dana White and co, then Sean O’Malley is likely to headline in the title fight following his controversial win over Petr Yan.
Facts! The turd isn’t making up his mind. Be ready my guy. This is the fight the fans really wanted to see anyway. https://t.co/NiyySrxK5E
— Aljamain Sterling (@funkmasterMMA) March 7, 2023
Two prominent, lightweight MMA stars – Charles Oliveira and Beneil Dariush – will also exchange fists as part of the event.