Renzo-Gracie.jpg

Renzo Gracie (middle) coaches a fighter in this file photo. Gracie was arrested and charged with gang assault outside a Manhattan night club early Monday morning.

(Star-Ledger file photo)

A bouncer beaten by a former UFC fighter from New Jersey and his crew claims the attack wasn't a misunderstanding outside a popular Manhattan night club.

Craig Molesphini, 35, a bouncer at 1 Oak in the Meatpacking District was allegedly beaten early Monday morning by mixed-martial-arts fighter Renzo Gracie, his cousin Igor and five others.

In an interview with the New York Post, Molesphini said he believes the attack was planned and payback for not allowing Renzo and Igor's master into the club last week.

He told the newspaper that a van pulled up to the venue at 1:30 a.m. packed with seven guys. The men started to pick fights with the other security guards, Molesphini said, while Renzo came up to him and knocked him down.

"He was on top of me for 20 seconds, trying to punch me," Molesphini told The Post. "...I wrapped both my arms around his neck so he couldn't hit me, before somebody pulled him off."

Molesphini suffered a fractured right arm and several bruises and cuts.

The attack was "retribution for me not allowing two of their masters into the venue last week," he told the newspaper. "This was a carefully planned and coordinated attack."

The men were arrested and charged with gang assault.

Renzo Gracie, 47, of Holmdel, is a retired Brazilian MMA fighter and trainer. He runs the Renzo Gracie Academy gym in Midtown where he has trained several UFC champions. The gym has affiliate locations in New Jersey, including Hoboken and Newark.

Igor teaches and trains at Renzo Gracie Academy in Manhattan, and also owns a gym in New Rochelle.