Much has changed in UFC, including states' regulation of the sport. Gracie said the UFC has developed from a style-versus-style battle to "athlete versus athlete, usually decided by who's done their homework better." In 2006, he last fought in the UFC and was defeated by Matt Hughes, who passed his welterweight title to St-Pierre.
Gracie won his most recent fight, at the Coliseum in 2007, but tested positive for the steroid nandrolone and was suspended by the California State Athletic Commission for one year. He denies the accuracy of the test, claiming he has proved he doesn't need excessive muscle to win fights.
"My favorite fighters are St-Pierre and [middleweight champ] Anderson Silva because they use strategy, they know how to use this," he said, pointing to his head.
Gracie maintains he needs only to tell UFC President Dana White he wants to fight again, and, for the right money, a return fight will happen. White secured Gracie a ringside seat to UFC 100.
"I just need the itch," Gracie said, shaking his hands to indicate what he meant. "I don't feel the itch right now, but I could. I know where the itch lives, he's still there. As soon as I tell him, he'll join me. I'm expensive, but I'll fill seats -- 97,000 a few years ago in Japan. People want to see me."
Etc.
Lesnar weighed in at the heavyweight-limit 265 pounds for his title-fight rematch tonight with Frank Mir, the submission specialist who weighed in at 245. Both welterweight champion St-Pierre and Thiago Alves weighed in at the class limit, 170 pounds, a big accomplishment for Alves, who weighs nearly 200 outside of training camp. . . . Nevada State Athletic Commission officer Keith Kizer said St-Pierre's corner will be forbidden to touch the fighter after the walk-in as part of new UFC restrictions following complaints by the defeated B.J. Penn that St-Pierre was slathered in Vaseline during his January win.
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lance.pugmire@latimes.com
