Report: Thomas Almeida Returns From Layoff Against Alejandro Perez on Oct. 10 UFC Event

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Two exciting bantamweights searching for their first win in a long time are on tap for a Ultimate Fighting Championship fight card in October.

The report first came out from Mexican outlet Milenio on Wednesday night, claiming that Thomas Almeida (21-3) will be stepping in the Octagon for the first time since early 2018 against Alejandro Perez (21-8-1). The two bantamweights will square off at the UFC Fight Night event on Oct. 10, which is slated to be held on Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

Almeida’s last appearance came back in January 2018 against Rob Font, where the Massachusetts native scorched Almeida with a head kick and follow-up punches at UFC 220. His losing streak, the first in his career, started in July 2017 when Jimmie Rivera handed the Brazilian his first defeat on the scorecards. A stellar 20-0 including four wins in the UFC, “Thominhas” lost for the first time to Cody Garbrandt at UFC Fight Night 88 in 2016. All five of Almeida’s victories under the UFC banner have been accompanied by post-fight bonus money.

Winner of “The Ultimate Fighter: Latin America” at bantamweight, Perez has carved out his place on the promotion’s 135-pound roster thanks to exciting wins over Ian Entwistle and Eddie Wineland over the years. Like his opponent, “Turbo” is on the first losing skid in his 30-fight career, with a decision loss to Cody Stamann at UFC 235 followed by a first-round knockout defeat to Yadong Song at UFC 239 in July 2019.

The UFC Fight Night card on Oct. 10 will take place on Yas Island in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Headlining the “Fight Island” show is a bantamweight thriller between Marlon Moraes and Cory Sandhagen. Additionally, Edson Barboza is scheduled to face Sodiq Yusuff at featherweight, while Markus Perez takes on unbeaten grappling wizard Rodolfo Vieira at middleweight.