Royce Gracie Willing To Fight Ken Shamrock In ‘Gracie Vs. Shamrock III’ In Bellator MMA — Legit MMA Fight Or Hype?
Earlier this month, Bellator MMA was able to deliver a fight, one that has almost seven years of festered hatred backed into it –Kimbo Slice versus Ken Shamrock. Leading up to the main event at Bellator 138, both Slice and Shamrock volleyed vocal barbs at each other. Shamrock claimed he would defeat Slice in the first round, stating he would be disappointed if such didn’t happen. On the other hand, Slice has made it known he wants to knock Shamrock’s a** out. By the end of the fight, it would be Kimbo Slice who would deliver on his promise.
To be fair, the fight between the internet’s most famous brawler against the “World’s Most Dangerous Man” wasn’t the most tactical or entertaining fight, though the MMA community wasn’t expecting it to be. Slice and Shamrock are simply big name draws to put butts in seats at a venue. With that said, it seems Bellator MMA may get another chance for another fight with big name draws, as Royce Gracie is willing to fight Ken Shamrock in their third bout with the promotion.
According to MMA Junkie, brand ambassador for Bellator MMA Royce Gracie made it known that he is willing to come out of semi-retirement to fight Ken Shamrock in a third bout if it were to happen. It should be noted that such a fight would give Shamrock a chance to at least gain one win against his old-time rival and friend from the initial days of UFC. Right now, Gracie has one against Shamrock via submission at UFC 1. A rematch was scheduled at UFC 5 in which they both fought to a draw.
It should also be noted that a Gracie vs. Shamrock III fight isn’t just some suggested fight idea in the aftermath of Bellator 138. Apparently, Bellator MMA president Scott Coker first inquired a Gracie vs. Shamrock III fight to Ken Shamrock himself prior to Shamrock’s fight against Kimbo Slice, as reported by Sherdog. Shamrock actually wanted to fight Royce Gracie more so than Kimbo Slice as detailed in a conversation Shamrock had with Coker.
Now that Royce Gracie has made it known he is willing to fight Ken Shamrock in a third bout, it is up to Bellator MMA to get the gears in motion for such a fight to happen. And even though such a fight will most likely not be anywhere near a classic like their fight at UFC 1 and UFC 5, Bellator 138 proves that the MMA community is willing to watch veterans fight despite their age or lack of recent activity.
[Featured Image via Gracie MMA, Post Image via Holly Stein/Getty]
