Ricardo Almeida Targets UFC 111 Return in New Jersey

Published on: 7th December, 2009

Ricardo Almeida Targets UFC 111 Return in New Jersey  | read this item

One of the more impressive Brazilian Jiu Jitsu practitioners was former middleweight Ricardo Almeida who was originally scheduled to face Jon Fitch in his welterweight debut last month at UFC 106 and a win over a top contender like Fitch would have put ‘The Big Dog’ right into title contention, but due to a torn MCL, Almeida was unable to take the fight. However, with the UFC coming to his neck of the woods in New Jersey for UFC 111 in March is where he will be looking to make his Octagon return.

In a recent interview with Sherdog.com Almeida says that the injury did not require any surgery, but had to get through a very rough rehabilitation process in order to get the knee right.

“I’m still a few weeks away from getting back on the mat,” said Almeida, nearing full strength and in town to corner lightweight contender Frankie Edgar at “The Ultimate Fighter 10” Finale. “I’m already boxing, running and biking — no sparring yet.”

Although, Almeida was not born in “The Garden State” he has his BJJ Academy in Hamilton, New Jersey and says that it is home for him.

“I wasn’t born in New Jersey,” he said, “but ever since I moved to the U.S. in 1997, it’s been my home.”

With the UFC coming to New Jersey since UFC 78 back in November of 2007, Almeida definitely wants to be apart of that fight card and would still like to have his originally scheduled matchup with Jon Fitch due to the fact that he feels that the former Purdue University wrestling standout is right behind current UFC welterweight champion Georges St-Pierre in the rankings of the weight class.

“I don’t have anything personal against Fitch,” Almeida said. “I’m interested in fighting guys who can get me to the top of the division. Fitch is a great fighter. Pretty much everyone agrees Georges St. Pierre is the number one guy in the world and Fitch is number two. Who wouldn’t want to fight the number two guy in the world?”

However, if the potential Fitch vs Almeida bout is to be a possibility once again, Fitch must get passed Mike Pierce this Saturday night at UFC 107 for matchmaker Joe Silva to help make it happen.

Fan Question: Is a Ricardo Almeida vs Jon Fitch matchup a good fight for UFC 111?

 Nelson Rodriguez AKA: Nelo2.0 is the Co - Owner of URDirt.com who is also an Editor and Author on the site. Read more from this author

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