Bantamweights Thomas Almeida (21-1 MMA, 5-1 UFC) and Albert Morales (6-1-1 MMA, 0-1-1 UFC) met in the Octagon for the co-main event of the evening at UFC Fight Night 100 in Sao Paulo on Saturday. No 11 ranked Almeida bounced back from his first career loss to title challenger Cody Garbrandt in his last outing with a crushing TKO victory in front of his hometown crowd.
Morales started the fight comfortably looking to counterpunch and hold his own when the two began to exchange. Almeida soon found his range though and the strikes followed as Morales was caught with a heavy right hand before being on the recieving end of a combination which sent him shooting desperately for a takedown. Despite the takedown being unsuccessful he did manage to catch the Brazilians back and nearly finished the fight via a rear naked choke. The fight then went back to the feet for the duration of the round which saw both fighters landing clean strikes however Almeida looking the more comfortable.
As the second round begun both fighters aired on the size of caution looking to pick and be more precise with their strikes. Much like the first round it was Almeida who done the damage opening up with a combination which rocked Morales before delivering a barrage of punches that had his opponent scrambling round the Octagon. The pressure continued as Almeida landed shot after shot whilst the referee gave Morales every opportunity to get himself back into the fight.
Morales looked to cover up and the Brazilian smelt blood, a number of vicious strikes was capped by a devastating left to the body which saw Morales crumble to the ground and cause the referee to intervene. Almeida was declared the winner at 1.37 in the second round.
This TKO victory marked the 17th career finish by strikes of his career and also gets ‘The Warrior’ back to winning ways after his first career defeat back in May.
During his win Almeida also claimed a performance of the night bonus earning him an extra $50,000.
Speaking after the fight Almeida showed his only interest is to climb his way up the 135lb rankings.
I don’t like to say any names. I don’t like to challenge anyone. I want a top ten fighter, and then a top five, and then maybe for the belt”.
