So apparently the fight against Don Frye is off, and Ron Waterman is now the replacement.

In my opionion this is a much safer first fight for Roger in a lot of ways although Waterman is in better shape and stronger than Don Frye. Water is not known for his stand up ability, and tends to prefer to clinch and grapple his opponents. This is no gimmie fight either way and a huge test for Roger on his MMA debut however.

For Roger to successfully transfer to MMA I think he is going to have to work on his takedown skills, which are a definite weak point of his even in the competitions he has had. I hate to be the one to say this, but I'm not sure if he can improve this in his current training situations. Secondly, he's going to have to up the aggression factor up a notch or two, his patient, stoic style may have played well in Submission Grappling and Jiu Jitsu competition, but in the round systems of MMA it may be a detriment to him (think Dean Lister).

Still, if anyone in BJJ deserves to be hyped up on his debut, it's Roger, as he carries the twin responsibilities of being labeled as one of the best grapplers in the world and the name Gracie.