"The most successful Gracie in action is to fight Don Frye, a well known fighter, 16 years his elder.
Go tell Don Frye: Roger is hungry. On November 4th the 40-year-old wrestler will face the young Jiu-Jitsu and submission prodigy, who is currently in great technical and physical shape. But that’s not all. Frye’s next opponent is pissed and motivated. He comes from a rough defeat. At the end of July, Roger Gracie, aged 24, was defeated by Xande Ribeiro (by a single advantage) at the open class title decision during the 2006 BJJ World Championship, losing, in the final, the title he's been pursuing for the last four years. It is natural that after this kind of loss Roger is anxious for a big victory and willing to make all the efforts necessary to achieve that right in his next professional challenge: his MMA debut.
Roger and Don Frye have already signed their respective contracts and will step into a ring to face each other during three five-minute rounds. The event will be promoted by MFC.
Restless submitter and one of the biggest titles collector in Jiu-Jitsu history; 2005 ADCC open class champion, which makes him the number 1 submission grappler in the world, Roger goes to New York in early September. In the Big Apple he will train with cousin Renzo Gracie: “I think it will be pretty difficult for him to submit me. I’m not underestimating anybody, it is obvious that anything can happen, but it'll be hard for him. The biggest risk I could take is to expose myself trying to get him down or sweep him. In that case I may be hit by a dangerous knee-strike, an elbow or a kick right on my face.”
It is worth remembering that in 1996 Don Frye defeated Amaury Bitetti. Despite the fact he had different weight, spread and techniques than Roger, Bitetti was considered a top Jiu-Jitsu fighter back then - just as is the case with Gracie nowadays (alongside Xande Ribeiro). There was another big similarity: the Carlson, Osvaldo Alves pupil was also looking for rehabilitation. Amaury was coming from a disastrous defeat to a capoeira representative called Mestre Hulk. His impetus was big, maybe more than enough. When he rushed into Frye’s direction Bitetti was surprised by a fighter with a solid base, an efficient ground and pound and a stylish mustache.
Ten years later, the American fighter is now an MMA veteran with the inevitable retirement right around the corner. Owner of a 16 victories, five defeats and one draw MMA record (and one no contest bout), Frye may count on his fighting experience to beat his rookie antagonist. An athlete who spent the last decade fighting has enough wisdom to impose himself against this Gracie who wants to rock the MMA world in his very first fight. Go tell Roger: Frye intends to end his career as well as possible.
Don Frye is not Randy Couture and perhaps he should be considered the underdog of this fight. Despite his lack of experience, Roger has MMA running in his blood. Talented and well prepared, he might even have the gift of premonition. In 2003 he stated during an interview to GRACIE Magazine: “I want to be the best fighter in the world.” Go tell Don Frye that."
http://www.graciemag.com/?c=145&a=5004
