Cesar Almeida’s kickboxing historical past has his MMA opponents routinely fearful about his standup expertise contained in the octagon, and the 36-year-old striker expects fellow middleweights to be twice as fearful after his UFC Vegas 101 win.
Almeida, who traded arms with the likes of Alex Pereira in kickboxing earlier than totally transitioning to an MMA cage, stopped Abdul Razak Alhassan in violent vogue this previous weekend in Las Vegas. He admits he foresaw a three-round battle, however “knew I might [knock him out] if my hand related.”
“It’s a victory that places me on all people’s radar,” Almeida instructed MMA Preventing. “Everyone will come extra cautious now and attempt to play a safer combat in opposition to me, so I’ve to be prepared for that. I’ve to return to the fitness center and practice my difficulties to have the ability to get higher and keep on the toes and preserve knocking individuals out so I can proceed to develop within the division and within the group. I’ve to be much more skilled as a result of the challenges will likely be larger now.”
At 7-1 as knowledgeable MMA fighter and now 3-1 since becoming a member of the UFC with each knockout finishes incomes him $50,000 in efficiency bonuses, Almeida will use the additional money to complete paying for his home and former money owed, guaranteeing a extra financially steady life for his household going ahead. On high of that, it offers Almeida confidence he can go even greater within the sport.
“[The bonus] is gratifying not just for the cash, but in addition for the popularity,” Almeida stated. “Cash is f*cking good, I received’t say it’s not [laughs], we combat for cash and to have a greater life. I don’t know the place I can get, however I’ll work laborious to get so far as I can right here. Who is aware of if it’s the highest 15, the belt. Now I’m totally conscious that I’ve what it takes. All I’ve to do is preserve my foot on the bottom and proceed coaching laborious. I can get to the highest and combat these guys. This combat has confirmed to myself that I can do it, I’m prepared for nice challenges.”
Almeida requested for a top-15 opponent and a spot on a UFC occasion in Brazil subsequent, with the promotion presumably returning to the nation’s capital Brasilia on Could 31, however he now needs to attend and see different bouts happen within the division earlier than pointing fingers and saying names.
“The division is a bit too difficult proper now and all people has a combat booked,” Almeida stated, “So I’ll take a while to relaxation and revel in my life, do all of the exams I’ve to do proper now, after which we’ll see what’s the perfect path for us.”
