Kron Gracie is officially returning to mixed martial arts after a long layoff. The jiu-jitsu legend will fight Tom Picciano for the Victory Fighting League (VFL) featherweight title on December 12 in New York, marking his first MMA appearance since parting ways with the UFC.
The promotion confirmed the matchup on Saturday, setting the stage for Gracie’s long-awaited return to competition after a difficult run inside the octagon.
Gracie (5-3) last fought in 2024, suffering a knockout loss to Bryce Mitchell that marked his third consecutive defeat in the UFC. Before that, he dropped decisions to veterans Cub Swanson and Charles Jourdain, leading to his exit from the organization.
Despite the setbacks, Gracie remains one of the most respected grapplers to ever step into MMA. The son of legendary jiu-jitsu master Rickson Gracie, Kron began his fighting career with five straight finishes, showcasing his elite submission skills that earned him world titles in both IBJJF and ADCC competition. His debut years generated massive attention, as many saw him as the next representative of the Gracie family legacy inside the cage.
Now, after more than a year away, Gracie is ready to rebuild his name — and a regional championship could be the first step.
His opponent, Tom Picciano (7-3), enters the bout with momentum after a first-round rear-naked choke victory over Jay Pressley in his VFL debut. Fighting out of Long Island, Picciano has developed a reputation for well-rounded skills and a dangerous grappling game of his own — making this an intriguing stylistic matchup for Gracie.
For fans of jiu-jitsu and old-school MMA, this fight will be a nostalgic moment. Gracie’s return symbolizes not just a comeback but also another chapter in one of combat sports’ most famous dynasties.
Whether the 36-year-old can still compete at an elite level remains to be seen, but one thing’s certain — Kron Gracie is back, and he’s aiming to prove that the Gracie name still carries weight in the fight game.
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