Thomas Almeida hopes Legacy FC 32 title bout gets him step closer to UFC

Thomas Almeida had to endure a pair of opponent changes for his fight tonight, and now he has the unfortunate task of facing a fellow Brazilian for Legacy Fighting Championship’s bantamweight title.

But if winning that title gets him one step closer to his dream of fighting in the UFC, then he’ll do what he has to do.

Almeida (16-0) was set to fight Matt Hobar for Legacy FC’s 135-pound belt. But Hobar got the call to the UFC and vacated the title. Then a bout against Aaron Phillips fell off when Phillips got hurt. In steps Caio Machado (4-0) tonight at Legacy FC 32 at Horseshoe Casino in Bossier City, La. The fight headlines the event on AXS TV.

Almeida said he adjusted his training right away after getting the latest opponent change for a foe with much less experience than him.

“I started watching his videos the day the fight was booked,” Almeida told MMAjunkie. “He looks taller than me and he likes to throw knees while standing. I figure he has a longer reach. So our strategy is based on that.”

Because Almeida’s striking game is so strong – 12 of his 16 wins are by knockout – he believes just about any opponent is going to want to take him to the ground, including Machado.

So working takedown defense is a big part of his game.

“Ultimately, all my training has that scenario in mind,” he said. “That’s because I know people will always try to take me down to nullify me, since I’m a striker. So that’s always a focus of my training.”

A win over Machado as a 3-to-1 favorite tonight would raise Almeida’s stock even more than it already is as a 22-year-old prospect.

But right now, he said the UFC hopes he can hang tight just a little bit longer until it can find a spot for him.

“It’s my understanding that there are too many Brazilians in the bantamweight division (in the UFC),” Almeida said. “They’re waiting a while. They told me my record is excellent, so I hope to get a call soon. I hope to reach my dream, which is to fight in the UFC. My Legacy contract says they won’t hold me if I get an offer from the UFC.”

And that’s why he hasn’t taken the bait when he’s gotten calls from elsewhere. For Almeida, it appears to be UFC or bust.

“I’ve had various offers from Bellator and WSOF, but I’m holding out for the UFC, which is my dream,” he said. “I think that earning the Legacy title will be a great step in that direction. I’m only 22 and I’m willing to wait until the right time, so when I do enter the UFC, I can make a mark.

“I’m not interested in winning some and losing some. I want to put on a show once I’m there.”

He hopes it starts with a show tonight for Legacy.

For more on Legacy FC 32, stay tuned to the MMA Rumors section of the site.