Kron Gracie enters a humbled mixed martial artist

LAS VEGAS – Kron Gracie enters his UFC 310 matchup in opposition to Bryce Mitchell with a renewed mindset.

After taking greater than a yr away from competitors following his unanimous determination loss to Charles Jourdain at UFC 288, the place he was criticized for butt scooting and a scarcity of engagement, Gracie (5-2 MMA, 1-2 UFC) returns to motion on Saturday for a featherweight matchup with Mitchell (16-2 MMA, 7-2 UFC) at T-Cellular Area (ESPN+ pay-per-view, ESPN2, Hulu, ESPN+).

Gracie has come to phrases with the ugly effort in opposition to Jourdain and mentioned he’s cautioned himself from avoiding the errors that led to that consequence.

“My final efficiency with Jourdain was sort of my worst efficiency ever as a result of I attempted to take heed to the jiu-jitsu world and lots of the individuals round me that have been telling me to only give attention to jiu-jitsu and don’t punch,” Gracie instructed MMA Junkie and different reporters at Wednesday’s UFC 310 media day. “Clearly I made a fast understanding that was not the way in which to go. All of my fights in Japan and earlier than that – you sort of have to combine it up slightly bit. I went into that battle with one bullet in my gun and nonetheless didn’t get my ass whooped, nonetheless didn’t get completed. So I’m seeking to make a great efficiency and battle one of the best ways doable.”

Gracie weighs in on Mitchell

If there’s anybody who may give Gracie the possibility to shine, it could possibly be Mitchell. The ranked 145-pound contender is a powerful grappler, as effectively, so Gracie relishes the thought of going to the ground.

Gracie is conserving an open thoughts going into battle night time, nevertheless, and might be prepared if it stays on the toes for all quarter-hour.

“He appears like he has good abilities,” Gracie mentioned. “From what I can see, he’s all the time making an attempt to take it to the bottom. Ge’s a great grappler. It’s all the time fascinating to see what occurs after I get in there with any person, as a result of thus far, individuals usually battle me so much completely different than they battle of their movies. You by no means know the way somebody goes to organize, if he’s going to come back at me or if he’s going to run away from me. These issues we are going to see on the day of the battle, however yeah, it’s doable it’s only a kickboxing match. Personally I’m simply making an attempt to battle wherever the battle is greatest for me, and making an attempt to win whether or not it’s on the bottom or the toes.”

UFC 310 a brand new starting?

With simply two fights on his document since February 2019, Gracie hopes UFC 310 marks the beginning of one thing. He desires to construct some momentum in his profession and mentioned he’s eager to battle “as a lot as doable” going ahead.

Though Gracie is a reserved character who prefers to maintain to himself, he mentioned he’s open to the thought of popping out of his shell and being an even bigger promotional piece for UFC going ahead.

“There may be some thriller as a result of I don’t actually submit each day and let individuals know what I’m doing as a result of there’s nothing actually to say,” Gracie mentioned. “I’ve been sort of engaged on my life and doing issues, and I’m centered on coaching and never all the time making an attempt to put it on the market. However I’m not in opposition to it, too, if somebody desires to put it on the market. I’d be open to that. I believe I simply all the time have larger priorities than to speak about what’s happening, however we’ll see sooner or later.”

For extra on the cardboard, go to MMA Junkie’s occasion hub for UFC 310.