LAS VEGAS – Cesar Almeida hopes to follow in the footsteps of former kickboxing foe Alex Pereira.
Former Glory kickboxer Almeida (4-0) earned a UFC contract Tuesday when he defeated Lucas Fernando (9-2) at Dana White’s Contender Series 57.
Almeida fought Pereira three times in kickboxing – winning once, and losing twice. Pereira was able to make waves in MMA in a short period of time, becoming UFC champion after just three octagon wins – and Almeida takes inspiration from his fast rise.