From the two fights he had in 2009, Ricardo “Cachorrão” Almeida emerged from the cage victorious. On 27 March, the Jiu-Jitsu black belt will have Matt Brown ahead of him, at UFC 111, in New Jersey. Cachorrão dropped from middleweight down to welterweight, thus a likely challenger for Georges St.-Pierre down the road. The path is being blazed and the Brazilian believes he is becoming a more complete fighter with every fight.
“I think my game is going through an evolution. Before, everyone knew I could only end the fight on the ground. I feel the last two fights I showed better wrestling and stand-up, ” he is quoted as saying on MMAJunkie.
Cachorrão’s wrestling has shown marked improvement. Photo: Josh Hedges
For his next challenge in Brown, he feels it is a chance to demonstrate this evolution. And of course, he will have to succeed to fulfill the dream.
“This fight will let me know what I need to do to reach the top of the division,” he says.
Although the fight will not be broadcast on pay-per-view, Almeida’s performance will feature on the Spike TV channel, along with the Nate Diaz and Rory Markham fight.
On the same night, the welterweight title fight between St.-Pierre and Dan Hardy and the interim heavyweight title bout between Frank Mir and Shane Carwin will feature as main events.
Check out the card:
UFC 111
New Jersey, United States
On March 27, 2007
Georges St. Pierre vs Dan Hardy
Shane Carwin vs Frank Mir
Jake Ellenberger vs. Ben Saunders
Thiago Alves vs Jon Fitch
Mark Bocek x Jim Miller
Nate Diaz x Rory Markham
Ricardo Almeida vs Matt Brown