Metamoris Founder, Dream Veteran Ralek Gracie Inks Deal with Bellator MMA

Ralek Gracie has signed a multi-fight contract to compete for Bellator MMA.

Sherdog.com confirmed the deal with a promotion official following an initial report from ESPN's Brett Okamoto on Tuesday. Ralek Gracie, who is the son of Rorion Gracie and nephew of Royce Gracie, is targeting Jan. 21, 2017 for his promotional debut, although an opponent has yet to be determined.

That event, likely Bellator 170, takes place at The Forum in Inglewood, Calif., and is headlined by a light heavyweight showdown between Tito Ortiz and Chael Sonnen. Gracie is likely to fight at middleweight for the California-based organization.

Gracie, 31, owns a 3-0 career mixed martial arts record but hasn’t competed since 2010, when he garnered a unanimous decision victory over Pride Fighting Championships star Kazushi Sakuraba at Dream 14.

More recently, Gracie founded Metamoris, the grappling series that has featured a number of MMA stars in its events, including Sonnen. The last Metamoris event occurred on July 7 and saw Gracie fall to Garry Tonon via kneebar in the main event.