Newsday first reported the matchup, although the Las Vegas-based promotion has not officially announced the bout. UFC on Fox 25 takes place at Nassau Coliseum in Long Island, N.Y. and is also expected to include a light heavyweight duel between Gian Villante and Patrick Cummins as well as a lightweight showdown pitting Frankie Perez against Chris Wade.
Rivera is currently riding a 19-fight winning streak that includes victories in his first four Octagon appearances. The 27-year-old Team Tiger Schulmann representative earned the most significant victory of his career to date at UFC 203, when he outpointed Hall of Fame inductee Urijah Faber. Rivera also owns triumphs over Iuri Alcantara, Pedro Munhoz and Marcus Brimage in UFC competition.
Almeida’s lone loss in 22 professional outings came at the hands of current 135-pound champ Cody Garbrandt at UFC Fight Night 88 nearly a year ago. The 25-year-old Brazilian returned to the win column in his most recent appearance at UFC Fight Night 100, when he earned a second-round technical knockout victory against Albert Morales. Almeida has finished all but one of his career triumphs inside the distance and also owns victories over Brad Pickett, Anthony Birchak and Yves Jabouin.