There is no precedence for one family developing and pioneering a new martial art and sport in the annals of sports history. Yet, this is exactly what Brazil’s Gracie clan has done. Pioneers of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and responsible for making it among the most popular martial art in the world. This popularity came about because of their desire to prove the effectiveness of their martial art against other styles. They initiated this by facing bigger opponents in a little-known event called the Ultimate Fighting Championship in 1993.

Members of the Gracie clan are credited with being pioneers of the sport of mixed martial arts. They brought MMA to the forefront via the UFC before the promotion came under the control of Dana White. On the occasion of legendary BJJ coach Renzo Gracie‘s birthday on March 11, Khabib Nurmagomedov‘s former manager wished him and expressed his love for the Brazilian.

Khabib Nurmagomedov’s manager wishes Renzo Gracie on his birthday

Renzo Gracie, the grandson of Gracie clan founder Carlos Gracie and son of Robson Gracie trained in Gracie BJJ as a small child. After becoming a multiple-time world champion by the age of twenty, he arrived in New York. He would be among the first to teach BJJ in the US. Along with his brother Rorion Gracie and his cousin Royce Gracie, they delved deep into the development of the sport of mixed martial arts with the UFC. In its early years, the UFC had no weight classes, no time limits, no referee stoppages, and very few rules.

While Renzo had participated in Brazilian Vale Tudo (no-holds-barred) fights, the precursor of the sport of MMA, and went on to compete in MMA, he is most well-known as a coach. Among his students are MMA legends like Georges St-Pierre, Matt Serra, Roy Nelson, and Ricardo Almeida.

And on Renzo Gracie’s 57th birthday, Islam Makhachev and former Khabib Nurmagomedov manager, Ali Abdelaziz took to social media to wish the BJJ coach. Moreover, he expressed his love, admiration, and gratitude for the BJJ maestro. “Every time when I was down in my life @renzograciebjj reach is hand in pick me up, he give me opportunity when nobody else would. I would not be here today without him , today you are 35 I hope you have a great day 🦁❤️😂” he wrote in an Instagram post.

While Abdelaziz found time to wish an old friend on his birthday, he is still taking care of business and may have decided on Makhachev’s next opponent.

Abdelaziz offers Poirier Makhachev title shot after UFC 299

Dustin Poirier yet again proved himself to be among the best lightweights in the world with his knockout victory over Benoit Saint-Denis. Makahchev’s manager Ali Abdelaziz commended ‘Diamond’ in a tweet. He wrote that Makhachev would be willing to fight him in June.

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Poirier proceeded to call out Makhachev in a tweet, writing “Islam in June 😤“. Poirier, who was in a sort of no-man’s land after losing two of his last three fights going into UFC 299 has made a dramatic comeback to the top of the UFC’s lightweight food chain. And fans may yet get to see Poirier become undisputed champion after a decade of fighting the best lightweights in the world. Nevertheless, what do you make of Abdelaziz wishing Gracie a happy birthday? Let us know in the comments section below.

Read More: UFC News: Islam Makhachev Goes Against Dana White to Give Dustin Poirier the Title Shot in June