Inglewood, CA – Bellator welterweight Neiman Gracie returns to the Bellator cage on Feb. 4 at Bellator 290 when he takes on Dante Schiro at The Forum in Inglewood.
Gracie (11-4) was originally set to face Michael Lombardo at Bellator 290, but Lombardo withdrew from the bout.
“I don’t even know (what happened). I was training and when I finished training I looked at my phone and there was a new contract with a new name. So I didn’t even know what happened. They just said ‘oh the guy’s out, this is the new guy’,” Gracie told Cageside Press.
“I just signed my name and that’s it.”
Gracie takes on Schiro who makes his fourth appearance under the Bellator banner. Schiro (9-4) is coming off a loss at Bellator 285 in Sept. 2022.
“I think he’s a pretty complete fighter. He’s kind of good everywhere so it’s going to be a fun fight. He’s not afraid of engaging in the fight,” Gracie said.
“So I think that’s going to be what’s going to make (it) a fun fight.”
Gracie himself comes off a loss at Bellator 284 where he lost by KO to Goiti Yamauchi in the second round of their fight.
“I think we learn a lot when we lose. I changed a couple of things in my game plan and in my training. I think bringing the fight to where I’m good at is the most important. That’s what I’m looking to do in this fight,” said Gracie.
Living and training in California has made Bellator 290 a sort of “home game” for Gracie as the event takes place at the KIA Forum in Inglewood, CA.
“Yeah it’s like 30 minutes from here, I can’t wait man,” he said.
The KINGS MMA fighter trains under the famous Rafael Cordeiro.
“Oh he’s amazing. I think he’s the best coach in the world you know because he’s not good at only one thing. He knows everything about fighting so it’s been great to have him by my side,” he said
“He’s going to be there with me and we’ve been working really had to get this win.”
Watch the entire interview with Neiman Gracie above. He faces Dante Schiro at Bellator 290 on Feb. 4 at the famous KIA Forum in Inglewood, CA.