Desert Force lightweight champ will be defending his title on April 28th at Desert Force 12 in the first lightweight title defense in Desert Force history. Yet two weeks after, he will face another big name in a special challenge at the prestigious Copa Podio Lightweight Grand Prix.
A new jiu-jitsu contest, without Gi and no time limit, with a win only possible through submission, will bring to heads two MMA stars during the interval of the Lightweight Grand Prix which will take place on the 10th of May, 2014 in Rio de Janeiro.
It was previously confirmed that Desert Force lightweight champion and black belt Haider Rasheed, from Jordan, will take part in this special contest but little was known about his opponent. Today, Copa Podio officials announced the man who will face Haider Rasheed, a member of the Gracie family, who also happens to be an MMA fighter, Igor Gracie.
Igor Gracie was the absolute European No-Gi champion in the masters black belt division in 2013 and the medium weight division. Capturing double gold in the competition. His black belt is from the Gracie Barra academy and he’s a member of the famous Gracie family.
A challenge between the famous Team Mirza of Jordan and the one and only Gracie Barra, Brazil in a unique and historical matchup! No Time Limit, Only Submission !
