The Gracie Family to Appear on HDNet's 'Inside MMA'

The Gracie Family to Appear on HDNet's 'Inside MMA'

Royce, Royler, and Ralek of the famous Gracie family appear as panelists on 'Inside MMA' Friday, June 5 at 9:00 p.m. ET

DALLAS, June 4 /PRNewswire/ -- Three members of the famous family who founded Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and helped found the UFC will join "Inside MMA" this week as guest panelists on the program.

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On the panel is Royce Gracie, a member of the UFC Hall of Fame and the tournament winner at UFC 1, UFC 2 and UFC 4. Royce was chosen to compete in the UFC when the organization started in 1993 and won his first eight fights of his career.

Royce will be joined by his brother Royler Gracie, a 3-time Abu Dhabi Champion and 4-time World Jiu-Jitsu Champion, and by his nephew Ralek Gracie, who is 2-0 in his young MMA career.

In Friday's episode, the Gracies talk about their family legacy and the state of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu today. And, in a special feature, Ron Kruck pays a visit to the Gracie Academy in Torrance, CA for a Gracie family history lesson.

Rodrigo Gracie, an MMA veteran who has fought in both K-1 and Pride, also makes a surprise appearance.

HDNet's "Inside MMA" is the first and only one of its kind - an original, weekly television program devoted completely to news and highlights from the world of Mixed Martial Arts. Hosts Kenny Rice and Bas Rutten are joined by the sport's top fighters and news-makers every week to discuss and analyze the latest in MMA. The program also includes event highlights, viewer mail, and Ron Kruck providing up-to-the-minute news and features with Kruck's Korner. "Inside MMA" has become the hottest Mixed Martial Arts program on television, giving fans their weekly fix of everything MMA.

Since the program's inception in September of 2007, "Inside MMA" has covered some of the biggest stories in the business, presenting interviews with the biggest names involved. From Randy Couture's legal battles with the UFC to Seth Petruzelli's upset win over Kimbo - and the Florida State Athletic Commission's investigation of that fight, to the fall of EliteXC, "Inside MMA" has covered it all.

"Inside MMA", HDNet's weekly series covering the latest news, rankings, stats and highlights from the world of Mixed Martial Arts airs every Friday at 9:00 p.m. ET.

About HDNet

HDNet (www.hd.net, twitter.com/hdnet) is a network that is original, thinks independently and delivers unique content and provocative, authentic programming that appeals to men of all ages, delivered in true high definition.

HDNet is the exclusive, high definition home for popular, original programming, including television's only HD news feature programs "HDNet World Report," and the Emmy Award winning "Dan Rather Reports," featuring legendary journalist Dan Rather. Only HDNet goes beyond the headlines to deliver real news that is redefining the way we look at our world. HDNet News is provocative, sometimes controversial and always relevant - telling the important stories of our time in-depth, with attitude and with independence.

HDNet presents championship sports coverage featuring the best of Mixed Martial Arts through HDNet Fights (www.hdnetfights.com, twitter.com/hdnetfights). HDNet Fights partners with leading MMA promoters including Affliction, DREAM, Sengoku, XFC, M-1, K-1, K-1 Max, MFC, Adrenaline and more. HDNet produces more live Mixed Martial Arts events than any other network and HDNet's ""Inside MMA"" is the hottest Mixed Martial Arts program on television, giving MMA fans their weekly fix for everything MMA.

HDNet also delivers the world's largest and most diverse concert line-up through the HDNet Concert Series. The HDNet Concert Series features leading artists and bands including Coldplay, Gwen Stefani, John Mayer and more. HDNet also features revealing lifestyle programming featuring "Art Mann Presents," "Vegas Confessions," "Deadline" and "Get Out!" HDNet is also the exclusive high definition home to critically acclaimed and award winning documentaries as part of the InFocus series. "NASA on HDNet" presents all live shuttle launches through 2010.

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Upcoming Sneak Previews include "Surveillance" starring Bill Pullman and Julia Ormond.

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HDNet Movies offers subscribers a premium movie viewing experience in true HD, and more original movies shot entirely in HD than any other network.

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Source: HDNet

CONTACT: Colette Carey, Director of Media and PR of HDNet,
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