Another member of the sport’s first family is set to make his mixed martial arts debut.
Robson Gracie Jr., the younger brother of Renzo Gracie, will make his first professional foray at Bellator 208 when he faces Peter Nascimento in a welterweight bout. A promotion official confirmed the fight to Sherdog.com on Monday following an initial report from MMAjunkie.com.
Gracie, 27, has signed a multi-fight contract with the California-based promotion. He trains with his brother Renzo in New York. He also previously trained with Murilo Bustamante at Brazilian Top Team in Rio de Janeiro. Gracie doesn’t have any MMA experience.
Nascimento has just one bout to his credit. At Bellator 194, he suffered a first-round technical knockout against Kastriot Xhema on Feb. 16.
Bellator 208 takes place at Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Uniondale, N.Y., and is headlined by a heavyweight grand prix semifinal matchup between Fedor Emelianenko and Chael Sonnen. Gracie vs. Nascimento is expected to be part of the preliminary card.