Thomas Almeida had to learn about opponent on YouTube but still 'very hungry' for co-headliner at home

RIO DE JANEIRO – Nearly six months after dropping the first fight of his 21-bout professional career, Thomas Almeida will have a new chance to show why he’s been one of the UFC’s biggest bets in Brazil.

Set to co-headline UFC Fight Night 100 in Sao Paulo, opposite Albert Morales (6-0-1 MMA, 0-0-1 UFC) on Nov. 19, Almeida (20-1 MMA, 4-1 UFC) looks to bounce back from the devastating KO loss that broke his own streak and helped launch still-undefeated Cody Garbrandt into title contention.

After getting the hometown spot he’d been asking for, he’s eager to get back into action.

“I’m very prepared; I’ve been training since my last fight,” Almeida told reporters during a recent media day in Rio de Janeiro. “I wanted to fight as soon as possible. I thought it would be in Brasilia (at UFC Fight Night 97), but it wasn’t, so I kept training, and now it’s in Sao Paulo.

“I’m well-trained, very focused, very hungry. Now I just need to focus on my opponent’s fighting style, come up with a strategy, make weight and go have fun.”

The reason why the strategy was yet to be made, Almeida explained, was that he’d only found out about the matchup that very morning. After waking up to messages from his manager and UFC PR, he immediately hopped on a plane from Sao Paulo to Rio de Janeiro to speak to media about the just-announced scrap.

And, having never heard of his opponent before, a still slightly flustered Almeida had to count on YouTube for a quick cramming session.

“I didn’t know him,” Almeida said. “Before coming here, I went on YouTube and saw a few of his fights. I noticed he’s tough, he likes to strike, he’s a taller guy. But I still have some time to analyze better, to put together a strategy. I just wanted to fight – it didn’t matter against whom or where – so I’m very happy to be able to show my game and my evolution.

“I don’t think it’s sunk in yet. I woke up to the news. I had to come here in a hurry, on the plane over (I was thinking about) how happy I was to fight at home again, in front of my crowd. I was very anxious to get this fight scheduled, now I’m very happy. I’m going to train even harder to represent there.”

Prior to the Garbrandt setback, Almeida was on a four-win UFC run that included a single decision (still the only one of his career). Morales, in turn, has only stepped onto the octagon once, with the scrap against Alejandro Perez ending on a majority draw.

Currently ranked No. 15 in the USA TODAY Sports/MMAjunkie MMA bantamweight rankings, Almeida timidly admitted he would have liked to fight a better-ranked opponent.

But, aware of what a win in Sao Paulo means in terms of carrying on his dreams of ever making it to the 135-pound belt, Almeida is not about to look past anyone.

“In the division, I see myself as someone who’s looking for his space, who’s getting experience,” Almeida said. “We’ll see, it all depends on this fight. I wanted to fight someone who was better ranked than me, but it didn’t happen, so I’m sure this opponent will be very tough. I just need to prove that I’m prepared. And then who knows what will happen down the road, my focus now is Morales.

“If he took the fight it’s because he thinks he has a chance, so I need to respect that and do my best, let my game go and do what I like the most – fighting. A fight is a fight. Everyone who’s in the UFC is a great athlete. They all have a shot, so I don’t overlook anyone. I respect everyone. I’m going in there to do my job. I’m going in there to win.”

Scoring a co-headlining spot following a knockout setback can certainly be interpreted as a vote of confidence in the bantamweight’s marketability in Brazil. The pressure of being one of the country’s most touted prospects, however, is something that Almeida has never seen on a negative light.

High expectations, he says, come with the territory. And, moving forward, he’ll take them as he always has.

“I really want to get there, so (the high expectation) doesn’t bother or hurt me,” Almeida said. “I actually take it as motivation and fuel. Nothing’s changed. (The loss to Garbrandt) was just a step back, but I’ll take several steps forward and will evolve more and more.

“I never said it would be easy. It’s part of the path – surpassing the obstacles to become a real champion.”