He may be 20-0 in MMA with 16 knockouts under his belt, but Brazilian bantamweight prospect Thomas Almeida revealed he still deals with doubters all the time. In order to put those people to rest, he wants a big step up in competition and already has a name on his mind: Urijah Faber.
“I don’t choose very much, but I think Faber would be a great challenge in my career,” Almeida told Combate. “He’s very good, he is famous and is good at wrestling. Many people say I haven’t proven myself yet, so hopefully that would shut them up and everyone would see how well trained and confident I am. I’m a big fan of Faber and he’s above me in the rankings.”
As for the pressure of being undefeated, Thomas says he doesn’t let it get to his head and has come to terms with the fact that he might lose eventually.
“I’m beginning to get noticed, so people want to make a name for themselves out of me. The guy who takes away my invincibility will be remembered. But I don’t think about that, I know defeat comes to every fighter. Nobody is unbeatable. My goal is to get the belt, losing or not, that’s my focus, nothing changes in my head.”
Thomas Almeida most recently knocked out Anthony Birchak in the first round at UFC Fight Night 77. Urijah Faber, on the other hand, takes on Frankie Saenz on December 12, at UFC 194, in Las Vegas.
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