Preview: One Championship ‘Reign of Kings’

Welterweights
Renzo Gracie (13-7-1) vs. Yuki Kondo (60-34-9)

Gracie vs. Kondo is the type of fight that will resonate with fans to differing degrees of intensity, depending on how long they have been following the sport. For those well-versed in MMA history, it will be a rare chance to see two icons share a cage together. That One Championship was able to get these two men together is an impressive feat in itself. Gracie has not fought competitively since his 2010 loss to Matt Hughes at UFC 112, and at 51 years of age, even if he does continue to compete after this fight, there surely cannot be too many bouts left.

A two-time winner of the Abu Dhabi Combat Club Grappling World Championship, Gracie, who was also there when Pride Fighting Championships first opened its doors in 1997, still looks in better condition than most men half his age. The same can also be said for his opponent Kondo, who at age 43 continues to compete in Pancrase, and while Gracie has had a long interval from the sport, for Kondo, it will almost be just another day at the office. Although Kondo has not been getting his hand raised as often as he once did, not a year seems to go by without the veteran fighter competing in at least two bouts.

The majority of fans will hopefully sit back, enjoy the contest and celebrate the two men for the legendary martial artists that they are.

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