Report: Cote to Fight Almeida at UFC 86

By Sherdog.com Staff Mar 25, 2008
Middleweights Patrick Cote (Pictures) and Ricardo Almeida (Pictures) will meet in a mid-summer showdown at UFC 86, according to a report by The Fight Network.

The 185-pound contest, which could result in the winner getting a crack at the UFC crown currently owned by Anderson Silva, highlights the undercard of the anticipated July 5 UFC event.

A win over Almeida (9-2) would mark the fourth consecutive triumph for Montreal's Cote in the Octagon, who has improved his record to 12-4 during the best stretch of his career.

Following a four-year hiatus from MMA comeptiion, Almeida, a Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt, returned to form with a quick submission win over Rob Yundt (Pictures) in February.

American Top Team also revealed three fighters from its camp would participate on the July 5 card. Lightweight Gleison Tibau (Pictures) is joined by teammates Cole Miller (Pictures) and UFC rookie Steve Bruno (Pictures), according to a release on the gym's Web site. No opponents were announced.

UFC 86 is headlined by the anticipated light heavyweight championship bout between Quinton Jackson (Pictures) and Forrest Griffin (Pictures).