MMA Legend Royce Gracie is continuing his involvement with the sport by joining Bellator MMA Wednesday as the promotion's new official brand ambassador.
The UFC Hall of Famer will start his new position on Nov. 15th, the same day that Tito Ortiz is scheduled to take on Stephan Bonnar in Bellator 131's main event in San Deigo, according to MMA Fighting. Both Ortiz and Bonnar are also members of the UFC Hall of Fame.
Bellator said Gracie "will host seminars, be involved in autograph and promotional appearances, as well as aiding in the international expansion of Bellator around the world." The company added that he will also "be involved in a co-branded merchandise line that will debut in 2015."
Gracie said his decision to take on the role of Bellator's ambassador was influenced by his relationship with the promotion's new President Scott Coker, MMAjunkie reported.
"I have known Scott for a long time and have always respected him as not only a promoter but as a martial artist who has always treated fighters with respect and truly understands their value," Gracie said. "Bellator and Viacom want to give fans exciting fights and enable fighters to continue to grow and most importantly provide for their family, and it's something I want to be a part of."
The 47-year-old fighting legend added that he is happy to see the UFC expanding across the world, but he is interested in Bellator right now because of how much the promotion is growing in popularity.
He said Bellator is a company that he "is honored to be a part of, and with the dedicated and talented people already associated with the company, we can further the growth of mixed martial arts as a sport worldwide."
Gracie holds a 14-2-3 record in MMA, having beaten the likes of Art Jimmerson, Ken Shamrock and Gerard Gordeau via submission, MMA Fighting reported. He decided to end his career in MMA in 2007, beating Kazushi Sakuraba in his last fight.
