By Erik Engelhart

Photos Erik Engelhart

Last week, TATAME.com went to Morro do Cantagalo slum, in Rio de Janeiro, with the three times BJJ world champion Kyra Gracie, who was preparing to change her kimono by boxing gloves once again.

The black belt is training for three months at Nobre Arte gym and expects to be ready to debut on MMA. “I started to train boxing because I want to fight MMA and no one better than Claudio Coelho to be my master”, said, clearing her priorities. “My focus is still the Jiu-Jitsu, and my biggest goal this year is the Worlds, but my goal is to keep training more boxing so next year I can debut on MMA”, said Gracie.

Coelho, master of Kyra, is satisfied with the quick evolution of the tough girl and guarantee that, besides she had never boxed before, she’s good at it. “She really surprised me, she has a good physical prepare, she’s good on boxing and she’s a left-handed. We are identifying each other a lot and I’m pushing the work because I want to make her good on her game without being hit with punches, I’m doing the best I can and she has abilities", Claudio said.