Gracie. Pioneers of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and Mixed Martial Arts, this is a family name which evokes both history and respect. And, after a four year hiatus teaching at the Renzo Gracie Academy, one of their big guns is back in MMA and more than ready to start the next chapter of his career. As many of you will know, Daniel Gracie will be competing in Bellator’s first Light Heavyweight Tournament in March this year and is singularly focused on taking home the title and living up to the expectations and honour of fighting under the Gracie banner.

Holding a professional MMA record of 5-2-1 and having competed in Pride and IFL events in both Japan and the US, Daniel engineered a compelling comeback with a RNC victory against Martin Wojcik at Israel FC: Genesis last November. With four of his five wins coming via submission, Daniel will be looking to adding even more submission victories to the Gracie canon.

Check out Zombie Prophet’s awesome highlight video below:

Daniel was kind enough to answer some questions about his life as a Gracie as well as his return to competitive MMA.

1. It must be very intimidating trying to live up to the Gracie name. Was it hard growing up as a Gracie or did it open more doors for you?
It is my pride in life to be a Gracie.  My family has pioneered the advances in the art of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and invented the sport of MMA.  To be a Gracie is an honor for which I will fight for the rest of my life.

2. Fighting or Teaching? Between the two where does your passion lie?
My passion is to fight.  Being back in MMA is the best.  Throughout my life, it has been my pleasure to teach my knowledge of BJJ and MMA to my students.

3. If the moon and the stars were perfectly aligned and you were able to get a rematch vs a fighter who beat you, which one of your two loses would you like to avenge and why?
I don’t look to the past or to losses.  From every fight, every match you learn and grow as a person.  I will say this: I will fight any and all comers.  This is the Gracie challenge.  This is my credo.

4. How interesting was the Saku-Gracie rivalry to you when you were growing up and has it finally been put to bed in the Gracie family after Royce and Ralek’s wins?
Sakuraba surprised everybody with his explosive and technical game.  Rivalries are good media and it helped to push MMA forward.  And with all the media, his game was studied and he was beaten.

5. How do you feel about signing with Bellator? Are you targeting other orgs for the future or just taking things step-by-step?
The Bellator Light Heavyweight tournament is an excellent opportunity and I am proud to be the 1st to sign up and commit.  As I am preparing to go the distance, my sights are clearly focused on Bellator.

6. Where do you imagine yourself a couple of years from now?
Fighting even harder!

7. What’s the goal in your MMA career? What do you want to achieve and how would you like to be remembered?
I’m prepared to fight as long as possible.  As a Gracie, it’s only natural for me to want to be a fighter.  And that’s what I’ll always be.  To be thought of as such would be the highest compliment.

8. How much do you enjoy teaching and what have you learned from it?
I love to teach and I’ve been doing it since I was 16.  Each student brings something new to me and I am always learning from them.  It keeps me young and focused on learning.

9. Was Pride Shockwave the most exciting event you’ve participated in? Which competition or fight stands out the most in your memory, and why?
Pride Shockwave was an extraordinary event.  The arena was full with 80,000 fans.  All eyes focused on me and my opponent.  That sensation stays with me until today.

10. Did you miss competing during your four year hiatus from MMA?
Of course.  However, one must do what their body asks.  It was time for me to take a break.  After competing in Jiu-Jitsu tournaments for 18 years and in MMA for four years, it was time to hone my teaching skills.  The break was just right and now I’m back.

11. After the loss to Allan Goes, what initially made you walk away from the sport, and what brought you back?
What brought me back was the timing.  Everything was right for my return.  Since, I had not stopped training during that time, I stayed in shape and kept a foot in the game.  Now I’m back.

12. Which win are you the most satisfied with, and why?
Every fight won by submission is truly satisfying.  To win in a sport invented by my family in a way pioneered by my family is an honor.

13. What are you thoughts on the recent resurgence of tournaments, especially in relation to Bellator and Strikeforce?
It’s the Gracie way of fighting.  This is the way we started in MMA.  Everything comes full circle and now it’s time to get back to basics.  The tournament format is a tough test of endurance, focus and heart.

14. Where did the nickname “Ikemen” come from? It means “handsome/hot guy” in Japanese right?
It came from the Japanese media.  When I fought my first MMA fight in Japan, I was still a model in Brazil.  Pride used this as marketing… encouraged by Renzo who gave them the info and photos of me modeling.

15. How have you found your life in the US compared to Brazil? Do you ever miss home?
Everyday I think about Brazil.  It is a beautiful country that has made me the person I am today.  I am thankful to be in the States and enjoy everything that the US has to offer.  It is the Land of Opportunity.

We would like to kindly thank you for your time and wish you the best of luck in the Bellator tournament!

You can follow Daniel on Twitter @DanielGracie and keep up to date with his training and upcoming fights on his website here: danielgracie.com. The Bellator Light Heavyweight Tournament will screen on MTV2 this March.

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Interview by Roberto Cibran & James Harvey