Rolles Gracie signs with UFC

By Damon Martin, MMAWeekly.com

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For the first time since Royce Gracie stepped into the Octagon in May 2006, another Gracie will make his way to the mixed martial arts juggernaught. Rolles Gracie has signed a multi-fight deal with the organization and will make his debut at UFC 109 in February against British heavyweight Mustapha Al-Turk.

The bout was confirmed to MMAWeekly.com on Tuesday by sources close to the fight.

Gracie has amassed a 3-0 professional record with his last two wins coming in the Art of War promotion in China.

A black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, he trains at both Renzo Gracie's Academy in New York City as well as Greg Jackson's school in New Mexico. Several fighters from Jackson's MMA have been working with Gracie's school of late including former light heavyweight champion Rashad Evans.

Al-Turk will hope to make the most out of his third appearance in the UFC after dropping his first two fights to Cheick Kongo and Mirko "Cro Cop" Filipovic respectively.

A respected grappler and wrestler, Al-Turk may test his stand-up in the fight with Gracie who obviously comes from a legendary Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu background.

No official announcement has been made by the UFC about the fight, nor has it been confirmed if the bout will make it to the main card or the preliminary portion of the show.