Introduction
Thomas Guimarães Almeida (born July 31, 1991) is a Brazilian professional mixed martial artist who competes in the Bantamweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship. A professional competitor since 2011, Almeida has also formerly competed for Legacy FC where he became the Legacy FC Bantamweight Champion, vacating the title shortly after signing with the UFC. As of 1 June 2016, he is #10 in official UFC bantamweight rankings.
Mixed martial arts career
Early career
Almeida made his professional mixed martial arts debut in September 2011. He fought extensively in his native Brazil and amassed a record of 8–0 with four wins via KO before making his Legacy FC debut.
Thomas Almeida is managed by Wade Hampel of Big Fight Management.
Legacy Fighting Championship
Almeida made his Legacy Fighting Championship debut against Cody Williams on November 16, 2012 at Legacy FC 15. Almeida won the fight via KO in the first round.
Almeida faced George Pacurariu on December 6, 2013 at Legacy FC 26. Almeida won the fight via TKO in the first round.
Almeida was expected to face Aaron Philips on June 20, 2014 at Legacy FC 32 for the vacant Legacy FC Bantamweight Championship. However, Philips pulled out of the fight and was replaced by Caio Machado. Almeida won the fight via TKO in the first round to win the Legacy FC Bantamweight Championship.
Ultimate Fighting Championship
In June 2014, the UFC announced that they had signed Almeida to a multi-fight contract.
Almeida made his promotional debut against Tim Gorman on November 8, 2014 at UFC Fight Night 56. Almeida won the fight via unanimous decision, marking the first time ever he didn't finish an opponent in his pro career. The fight also earned Almeida his first Fight of the Night bonus award.
Almeida faced Yves Jabouin on April 25, 2015 at UFC 186. He won the fight via TKO in the first round. This win also secured Almedia his first Performance of the Night bonus award.
Almeida faced Brad Pickett on July 11, 2015 at UFC 189. Despite getting dropped twice in the first round, Almeida won the fight via knockout with a flying knee in the second round and also earned a Performance of the Night bonus.
Almeida faced Anthony Birchak on November 7, 2015 at UFC Fight Night 77. He won the fight via knockout in the first round. The win resulted in his third consecutive Performance of the Night bonus.
Almeida faced fellow undefeated prospect Cody Garbrandt on May 29, 2016 at UFC Fight Night 88. Despite being the betting favorite, Almeida had no answer for Garbrandt's hand speed and accuracy and lost the fight via knockout in the first round.
Almeida next faced Albert Morales on November 19, 2016 at UFC Fight Night 100. He won the fight via TKO in the second round and was awarded a Performance of the Night bonus.
Championships and accomplishments
- MMA Super Heroes
- MMASH Bantamweight Championship (One time)
- Legacy Fighting Championship
- Legacy FC Bantamweight Championship (One time)
- Ultimate Fighting Championship
- Fight of the Night (One time) vs. Tim Gorman
- Performance of the Night (Four times)
- MMAJunkie.com
- 2014 November Fight of the Month vs. Tim Gorman
- 2015 July Knockout of the Month vs. Brad Pickett
Mixed martial arts record
| Professional record breakdown | ||
| 23 matches | 22 wins | 1 loss |
| By knockout | 17 | 1 |
| By submission | 4 | 0 |
| By decision | 1 | 0 |
| Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Win | 22–1 | Albert Morales | TKO (punches) | UFC Fight Night: Bader vs. Nogueira 2 | November 19, 2016 | 2 | 1:37 | São Paulo, Brazil | Performance of the Night. |
| Loss | 21–1 | Cody Garbrandt | KO (punches) | UFC Fight Night: Almeida vs. Garbrandt | May 29, 2016 | 1 | 2:53 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Win | 21–0 | Anthony Birchak | KO (punch) | UFC Fight Night: Belfort vs. Henderson 3 | November 7, 2015 | 1 | 4:24 | São Paulo, Brazil | Performance of the Night. |
| Win | 20–0 | Brad Pickett | KO (flying knee) | UFC 189 | July 11, 2015 | 2 | 0:29 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | Performance of the Night. |
| Win | 19–0 | Yves Jabouin | TKO (punches) | UFC 186 | April 25, 2015 | 1 | 4:18 | Montreal, Quebec, Canada | Performance of the Night. |
| Win | 18–0 | Tim Gorman | Decision (unanimous) | UFC Fight Night: Shogun vs. Saint Preux | November 8, 2014 | 3 | 5:00 | Uberlândia, Brazil | Fight of the Night. |
| Win | 17–0 | Caio Machado | TKO (body punch) | Legacy FC 32 | June 20, 2014 | 1 | 4:17 | Bossier City, Louisiana, United States | Won the Legacy FC Bantamweight Championship. |
| Win | 16–0 | Vinicius Zani | TKO (punches) | MMA Super Heroes 3 | March 30, 2014 | 4 | 3:52 | São Paulo, Brazil | Won the MMA Super Heroes Bantamweight Championship. |
| Win | 15–0 | George Pacurariu | TKO (punches) | Legacy FC 26 | December 6, 2013 | 1 | 4:31 | San Antonio, Texas, United States | |
| Win | 14–0 | Cemir Silva | TKO (punches) | Standout Fighting Tournament | September 20, 2013 | 2 | 4:42 | São Paulo, Brazil | |
| Win | 13–0 | Willidy Viana | TKO (punches) | Alfenas Balada Fight 1 | August 9, 2013 | 1 | 0:47 | São Paulo, Brazil | |
| Win | 12–0 | Valdines Silva | KO (knee and punches) | MMA Super Heroes 1 | July 13, 2013 | 1 | 2:46 | Louveira, Brazil | |
| Win | 11–0 | José Alexandre | TKO (punches) | Bison FC 1 | July 4, 2013 | 1 | 3:18 | São Paulo, Brazil | |
| Win | 10–0 | Gilmar Sales | TKO (punches) | Fair Fight: MMA Edition | December 16, 2012 | 1 | 2:32 | São Paulo, Brazil | |
| Win | 9–0 | Cody Williams | KO (elbow) | Legacy FC 15 | November 16, 2012 | 1 | 2:28 | Houston, Texas, United States | |
| Win | 8–0 | Vander Correa | KO (punch) | Predador FC 22 | October 20, 2012 | 1 | 2:21 | São José do Rio Preto, Brazil | |
| Win | 7–0 | Michel Igenho | KO (punches) | Predador FC 21 | August 11, 2012 | 1 | 3:02 | Campo Grande, Brazil | |
| Win | 6–0 | Samuel Lima Brito | Submission (guillotine choke) | Gladiador Fight 3 | May 19, 2012 | 1 | 1:32 | Araçatuba, Brazil | |
| Win | 5–0 | Ivonei Pridonik | TKO (head kick and punches) | Nitrix Champion Fight 11 | May 5, 2012 | 1 | 1:21 | Joinville, Brazil | |
| Win | 4–0 | Edmilson Atanasio | TKO (punches) | Union Combat 1 | April 4, 2012 | 1 | 1:57 | São Paulo, Brazil | |
| Win | 3–0 | Jorge Fernando | Submission (armbar) | Gold Fight Selection 3 | February 25, 2012 | 1 | 0:47 | São Paulo, Brazil | |
| Win | 2–0 | Danilo Molina | Submission (armbar) | Thai Fight 3 | November 29, 2011 | 1 | 2:16 | Taboão da Serra, Brazil | |
| Win | 1–0 | Jackson de Pádua | Submission (ninja choke) | Brazil Regional 2 | September 24, 2011 | 1 | 2:14 | São Paulo, Brazil |