Top middleweight contender 'Jacare' Souza signs new 8-fight deal with UFC

Gifted submission artist Ronaldo Souza – the man best known as “Jacare” –will not be hitting the free agent market.

UFC officials today confirmed with MMAjunkie that the top middleweight contender has signed a new eight-fight deal that commences with his Saturday bout against Robert Whittaker at UFC on FOX 24.

The bout takes place on the main card of the FOX-televised event from Sprint Center in Kansas City, Mo.

“He’s one of the best middleweights in the world and has the potential to be a world champion, so he belongs in the UFC,” UFC President Dana White told MMAjunkie. “I am pumped to see him fight another potential title holder in Whittaker on Saturday.”

More on this in just a moment.