Overview
- Almeida’s managers confirmed to major outlets that the UFC ended his deal days after his unanimous-decision loss to Rizvan Kuniev at UFC Vegas 113.
- He accepted the Kuniev bout on short notice, and multiple reports indicate he agreed to new contract terms tied to that booking.
- He had informed the promotion of plans to return to light heavyweight, but the release ends that move within the UFC.
- The 34-year-old departs ranked No. 8 at heavyweight with an 8-3 UFC record and a high finishing rate after earlier wins over Derrick Lewis, Jairzinho Rozenstruik, Alexandr Romanov and Serghei Spivac.
- The decision continues a recent run of ranked heavyweight cuts reported across the division, and ESPN notes he is expected to pursue offers from other promotions.