Neiman Gracie is a current PFL contender. He is gearing up for a pivotal match against Don Madge on June 28th. This match could bring him closer to the $1 million prize for the 2024 PFL season winner.
In a recent interview, Gracie discussed various topics — notably his strong support for Israel. During his PFL debut, Gracie wore the Star of David on both his shorts and walkout t-shirt. He proudly wanted to show his Jewish heritage. Despite facing significant backlash for this display of support, Gracie stood firm against his detractors.
Gracie also shared his thoughts on the evolving landscape of professional Jiu-Jitsu. He highlighted the increasing financial rewards within the sport, which might discourage grapplers from transitioning to MMA. Additionally, he offered insights and predictions for the upcoming ADCC competition.
Taking a strong stance against the use of PEDs in Jiu-Jitsu, Gracie emphasized the need for drug testing in BJJ competitions.
When questioned about implementing PED tests in BJJ, he affirmed: “Definitely, yeah.”
Gracie expressed concern about the prevalence of PED use, particularly in no-gi Jiu-Jitsu. He also talked about how it negatively impacts the sport.
Gracie praised the Ruotolo brothers for their clean approach to competition. He stated: “I think this is big in Jiu-Jitsu right now, and even bigger in nogi Jiu-Jitsu. It’s really bad for the sport, and that’s why I like the Ruotolo brothers. Because I know they are clean, you know. Even being clean, they go out there and they beat everyone. So, that’s why I love those kids, and they’re great people, too. This is one of the reasons I cheer for them, because I know they are clean and they are not on the juice.”
Gracie described the challenges of competing against athletes who use PEDs. He said: “Fighting someone that is on the juice, and you’re not is a completely different ballgame. And going there and beating them bad is amazing, and I know they’re beating a lot of juice heads there, so this is great.”
Neiman Gracie’s advocacy for PED testing in professional BJJ competitions underscores a critical issue in the sport. His support for clean competition and integrity sets a strong example for the Jiu-Jitsu community.
