Cesar Almeida, you’ve probably heard the name, right? He’s the guy who’s been giving Alex Pereira a run for his money in the kickboxing world down in Brazil. Well, he just made a splash in the Octagon last Saturday at UFC Fight Night 240. And guess what? He didn’t just win; he bagged a “Performance of the Night” bonus by taking down Dylan Budka with a TKO. Talk about an entrance!
Oh, and about that fight. Almeida had a game plan. He trained at Xtreme Couture, knowing full well Dylan’s wrestling chops. His strategy? Stay patient, defend against takedowns, dominate in the clinch, and wait for that perfect moment to strike for the knockout. And, boy, did that plan work like a charm. Almeida was over the moon, telling Sherdog.com about how everything unfolded just as they’d hoped.
But here’s the kicker – Almeida isn’t just fighting for glory; he’s got a bigger picture in mind. That bonus he just won is going straight to the bank. Why? To secure his daughters’ college education. Talk about a fighter with priorities!
After his victory, Almeida threw a curveball during his post-fight interview. He called out Chris Weidman. But, twist – he later confessed he’d rather throw down with a striker next. He believes a match-up against a striker would not only play to his strengths but also promise a more thrilling fight for the fans.
Now, let’s dive into some history. Almeida and Pereira have a storied rivalry in kickboxing, with three epic battles under their belts. Almeida shared a little backstage gossip – Pereira, the reigning light heavyweight champ, has thrown down the gauntlet. If Almeida can rack up three consecutive UFC wins, Pereira will grant him a fourth showdown.
Their past clashes are the stuff of legends in Brazil. The first, a grueling five-rounder for the Brazilian national title in 2013, saw Pereira emerge victorious. The second, a tournament final the same year, had Almeida winning two out of three rounds. Their third encounter, for the WGP belt in 2015, was a rollercoaster. Pereira knocked Almeida down twice, but Almeida fought back hard. Despite his valiant effort in the later rounds, Pereira clinched the win by decision.
But wait, there’s more. Almeida is eyeing a spot at UFC 300. If Jamahal Hill can’t face Pereira for any reason, Almeida’s all in. He’s already let the UFC know he’s game. Having battled Pereira for 13 rounds in kickboxing, Almeida sees this as the perfect opportunity to close out their saga, but this time in MMA. And he’s so ready, he’s practically packing his bags for Vegas as we speak.