Once upon a time, Thomas Almeida (21-1) was an undefeated prospect on a tear in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) bantamweight division. With some impressive finishes, “Thominhas” was on a fast track to a UFC title opportunity. Cody Garbrandt changed all of that.
Still considered a prospect at the age of 25, Almeida had a chance to wash away the taste of defeat when he met Albert Morales (6-1-1) at UFC Fight Night 100 in Sao Paulo, Brazil.
He did just that.
Almeida landed a counter elbow about a minute into the opening frame. Morales ate a stiff leg kick. He returned fire with a front kick to the body. A jumping switch kick from “Thominhas” was blocked. A left hand found the mark for Morales. He charged in and swung for the fences. Morales got tagged clean. Almeida wobbled his opponent, but was taken down. Morales moved to the back of Almeida and went for a rear-naked choke. They separated and exchanged shots near the end of the round.
Almeida landed a leg kick to start the second round. A spinning back kick to the body from “Thominhas” was blocked. A left hook stunned Morales. Almeida swarmed with strikes and a knee to the head. Morales went down from the combinations and that was it.
Final Result: Thomas Almeida def. Albert Morales via TKO (Strikes) – R2, 1:37
