Gracie will never be a striker but he seems to be able to handle strikers very well. Has he been back to UFC in recent years?
No, but several years ago he came back for a couple of "superfights" with Shamrock. He won the first and the second was a draw, IIRC.
Over the years, fighters have been figuring out the "ground game", including me. You can still be mainly a striker today, but you'd better know how to at least counter a takedown and defend on the ground if you're going to survive. Rich Franklin is a good example of being well-rounded like that.
I credit the Gracies for kicking the martial arts world in the ass and proving that even a master puncher and kicker could easily be defeated on the ground. Not many people know it, but the first UFC events were organized and promoted by Rorion Gracie, Royce's brother, to showcase Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in the American arena. IMO - it's the most revolutionary system since Bruce Lee introduced his ecclectic Jeet Kune Do back in the 70's. The closest thing we had before that was traditional Judo and Wrestling.
Oh, yeah - the Griffin vs. Bonnar fight was a real battle. Not much strategy or game plan - just a big slugfest. The crowds love that stuff. Those guys must have some good chins to stand up to that kind of abuse. I hope they both do well with their UFC contracts.