Mixed martial arts career
PRIDE
Almeida made his professional MMA debut on December 9, 2000, at PRIDE 12 against Akira Shoji. Almeida won his debut fight via unanimous decision.[6]
Almeida made a one-off return to PRIDE on May 23, 2004, against Ryo Chonan at Pride:Bushido 3. Almeida won via unanimous decision.
UFC
Almeida made his UFC debut on May 4, 2001, at UFC 31 against Matt Lindland in a light heavyweight match. Referee Mario Yamasaki ended the fight in the third round after repeated illegal upkicks from Almeida, giving him a loss via disqualification.[7]
His next fight was against Eugene Jackson on September 28, 2001, at UFC 33 in his middleweight debut. Almeida won the fight via triangle choke in the first round.[8]
His next fight would be his last with the UFC for 6 years, fighting Andrei Semenov at UFC 35 on January 11, 2002. Almeida lost the fight via TKO in the second round after Semenov landed hard punches in his UFC debut.[9]
Almeida left the UFC in 2002 for Pancrase.
Pancrase
In his Pancrase debut, Almeida fought Osami Shibuya on November 30, 2002, at Pancrase: Spirit 8. He won the fight via rear naked choke in the first round.[10]
His next fight was against Ikuhisa Minowa on February 16, 2003, at Pancrase: Hybrid 2. He won the fight via unanimous decision.[11]
His next fight was against Yuki Sasaki on April 12, 2003, at Pancrase: Hybrid 4. He won the fight via unanimous decision.[12]
His next fight was against Kazuo Misaki on August 31, 2003, at Pancrase: 10th Anniversary Show. He won the fight via majority decision.[13]
After winning 4 fights in a row with Pancrase, Almeida was booked for a title fight against Nate Marquardt to become the next Middleweight King Of Pancrase. They fought on November 30, 2003, at Pancrase: Hybrid 10. Almeida tackled Marquardt and was able to lock in a guillotine choke and submit Marquardt in the first round, becoming the new Middleweight King Of Pancrase.[14] Controversy began after Almeida did not release the choke for a few seconds after Marquardt tapped and the referee stepped in. This frustrated Marquardt which caused him to throw a punch at Almeida. Almeida's cornermen intervened in the conflict, with Renzo Gracie kicking Marquardt in the face. Both men reconciled and apologised shortly after the incident.[15]
He vacated the title in July 2004 and announced his retirement.
Hiatus
Almeida retired for a four-year period after a six-fight win streak to focus on running his Jiu-Jitsu school in Hamilton Township, Mercer County, New Jersey.[16]
Return to UFC
Almeida came out of retirement and returned to the UFC in 2008.
His return bout in the UFC occurred at UFC 81, where he won by submitting Rob Yundt via guillotine choke at 1:08 in the first round.
Almeida's next fight was against top fighter Patrick Cote at UFC 86, where he lost a close split decision.
Almeida returned at UFC Fight Night: Condit vs. Kampmann, this time on the preliminary card, to face Matt Horwich, winning by unanimous decision.
His next fight took place on August 8 in Philadelphia against Kendall Grove at UFC 101. Almeida won by outgrappling his opponent for the majority of the bout and controlling the fight to earn a unanimous decision victory.
He was scheduled to fight Jon Fitch at UFC 106 but had to withdraw due to a knee injury suffered while training.[17]
Almeida faced Matt Brown on March 27, 2010, at UFC 111 in his welterweight debut.[18] Almeida defeated Brown by rear naked choke at 2:30 in round 2.
Almeida faced former UFC Welterweight Champion and UFC Hall of Famer Matt Hughes on August 7, 2010, at UFC 117 and lost via technical submission due to a Dave Schultz front headlock.[19]
Almeida faced T. J. Grant on December 11, 2010, at UFC 124.[20] Almeida defeated Grant by unanimous decision.
Almeida faced Mike Pyle on March 19, 2011, at UFC 128.[21] He lost the fight via unanimous decision.
Retirement
Almeida retired for the second time on March 30, 2011, saying that he could not focus 100 percent on fighting, citing his family, his son (who was diagnosed with autism), and teaching at his academies as other areas of his life that needed attention.[22] He added that he would continue to support the UFC and teammates such as Frankie Edgar, Kris McCray, Eddie Alvarez, and Corey Anderson.[22]
MMA judge
A week after his retirement, Almeida became a professional MMA judge in New Jersey.[23] On May 5, 2012, he made his major-event debut as a judge at the UFC on FOX 3 card at the Izod Center at the Meadowlands Sports Complex.[24]
Personal life
Ricardo resides between Robbinsville, New Jersey, and Sarasota, Florida, with his family. He is the head instructor and owner at Ricardo Almeida Brazilian jiu-jitsu School located in Robbinsville Township, New Jersey, and in Lakewood Ranch, Florida.[25]
Grappling credentials
ADCC Submission Wrestling World Championship
ADCC 2003
88–98 kg: 4th place
ADCC 2001
88–98 kg: 2nd place
Openweight: 4th place
ADCC 2000
Openweight: 3rd place
ADCC 1999
88–98 kg: 3rd place
ADCC 1998
88–98 kg: 2nd place
CBJJ Pan American Championships
1999
Brown Belt pesado: 1st Place
CBJJ Brazilian Championships
1997
Brown Belt Pesado: 1st Place
1996
Purple Belt Médio: 1st Place
Purple Belt Open Weight: 3rd Place
IBJJF Pan American No-Gi Championship
2012
Black belt Meio-Pesado: 1st Place
IBJJF No-Gi Worlds Championship
2013
Black Belt Masters: 1st Place
