Issue 131
August 2015
Unbeaten Brazilian bantam Thomas Almeida took his time before joining the UFC. Now he’s arrived he’s got his sights set on the top 10 and the title.
The hottest new star of Brazilian MMA didn’t have to fight his way out of poverty-riddled favelas. Nor did he sleep on the mats of a local gym or spend countless sleepless nights dreaming of glory in the UFC in an attempt to take his mind of his rumbling stomach. In fact, he never dreamed of competing in mixed martial arts at all.
Unbeaten Thomas Almeida, the 18-0 bantamweight who’s rocketed up the UFC rankings after just two fights, has been recognized as one of the most exciting new talents in the sport for some time. Featured in FO’s ‘Class of 2013’ prospects list, he’s at the forefront of Brazil’s next generation of stars.
Yet the Chute Boxe prodigy started on his path to prizefighting with a different dream. It wasn’t Anderson Silva or Chuck Liddell who captured the attention of the son of a journalist mother and schoolteacher father from Sao Paulo, the stars of boxing, kickboxing and Muay Thai inspired him.
‘Tominhas’ was dedicated to the art of standup fighting. Mixed martial arts, he admits, only became his primary focus when the sport exploded and became a far more lucrative career path. Somewhat by default, MMA is destined to reap the benefits.
“I started training Muay Thai when I was 13 years old and my dream was to become a champion, in Muay Thai or K-1,” Almeida explains to FO. “I had 30 fights with 27 wins and three defeats. And for a long time I had no dreams to be a mixed martial artist.”
Based out of the legendary Chute Boxe Academy, Almeida admits growing up watching his teammates dominate in Pride and then in the UFC was inspiring. But not as much as those who chose only to strike for a living.
“Especially Wanderlei and Shogun in Pride, they were incredible. It was an honor and inspiration being on the same team as these great champions. But, in truth, the fighters I really wanted to be like were Mike Tyson and Ramon Dekkers. They were the guys I wanted to emulate first.
“My main goal was always to become the K-1 champion, but here in Brazil, it is very hard to be a Muay Thai fighter only. There are not as many opportunities as there is with MMA, so over time I changed my mind.” Although that love of striking is still evident in Almeida’s results so far.
Of the 23-year-old’s 18 pro fights, 14 have been won by KO or TKO with another four wins via submission. The only time he’s ever employed the judges was in his UFC debut in Brazil in November, when he proved his mettle by outstriking and outpointing Tim Gorman on all three cards.
Both the performance and the result was notable because ‘The Psycho’ was viewed by some as a baptism of fire for the polished Brazilian. Yet Almeida showed great heart and tenacity along with some lethal liver striking to dominate the fight.
Almeida acknowledges the fight was tough, but adds: “I know that the UFC is another level, so it was good because I could show that I’m ready for everything.” Gorman landed some shots and scored a couple of takedowns, but Almeida was just better all over and ultimately overwhelmed the TUF 18 alumni, who showed incredible heart to last the distance.
One man who wasn’t surprised to see Almeida break Gorman’s heart in the fashion he did was Legacy FC owner Mick Maynard. Almeida joined Texas’ leading promotion to amass ‘some overseas experience’ before he signed with the UFC, and Maynard admits his former 135lb champ has got the ingredients to go a long way in the sport.
“When facing adversity, a fighter needs to be able to get through that and come out on top. Thomas has that ability, and it’s a rare trait to have, probably rarer than we even know,” says Maynard, whose promotion has served as a proving ground for a number of promising fighters on their way to the sport’s biggest promotion.
“When you add the combination of unbelievable talent and the heart it takes to overcome issues, you have a very rare fighter. Gorman had a great game plan. He came out there and pushed the pace while trying to put Thomas on his heels. The guy did everything he could to take Thomas out of his game. But it was his will that helped him win the fight. I expect him to do really big things. He’s a very special fighter.”
By the time he faced Yves Jabouin for his second Octagon outing at UFC 186 in April, Almeida had hit his stride. He wasted little time punishing the Canadian with a first-round TKO. Next up is plucky Brit Brad Pickett. The ATT veteran is something of a gatekeeper to the 135lb top 10 with a relentless style that centers around busy boxing from plenty of angles and a late judge-swinging takedown game.
“Pickett is tough with a lot of experience, always going forward. I think it will be a big fight for the fans,” says Almeida, who revealed he’s banked both his $50,000 UFC performance bonuses so far. “Winning this fight will take my career to another level. I’m also excited to fight in Las Vegas for the first time, this is a big honor. I always wanted to see Vegas and so to fight there is going to be awesome.”
Almeida refuses to talk about any opponents beyond Pickett, but understands the pressure on his shoulders to lead a new vanguard of Brazilians to the top of the sport. “Brazil has suffered in MMA in recent times but I am training every day thinking about becoming a new champion. I hope to become the number one in my division and represent my team and country in UFC. For me there is no limitation, I just want to be better every day.”
