Cesar Almeida Cesinha

The image was generated by artificial intelligence.

Fighter bio

César Almeida – General Profile

César “Cesinha” Almeida is a Brazilian professional mixed martial artist competing in the UFC’s middleweight division. Born on March 28, 1988, in São Paulo, Brazil, Almeida made the transition from elite kickboxing to MMA and has quickly become known for his powerful striking, finishing ability, and knockout potential inside the Octagon.

MMA Career

Almeida began his professional MMA career in 2016 after an accomplished kickboxing background. He earned a UFC contract through Dana White’s Contender Series in 2023 with a dominant performance. He made his UFC debut on April 6, 2024, stopping Dylan Budka via strikes and earning a Performance of the Night bonus. He followed that with a unanimous decision win over Ihor Potieria at UFC 307 and a first-round knockout of Abdul Razak Alhassan at UFC Fight Night in January 2025. In December 2025, he competed against Cezary Oleksiejczuk, showcasing his continued presence in one of MMA’s toughest divisions.

Fighting Style

Almeida is primarily a striker with an elite kickboxing base. He uses sharp combinations, powerful punches, and explosive pressure to overwhelm opponents. Known for his ability to finish fights — particularly by knockout — he brings relentless offense and strong stand-up fundamentals. While primarily focused on striking, he continues to develop his overall MMA game, including takedown defense and wrestling awareness.

Recent Developments

In recent UFC action, Almeida has delivered impressive performances, including a head-turning knockout and competitive decision wins. He experienced his first UFC loss but has since rebounded with continued growth and adaptation to top-level competition. After suffering an ACL injury earlier in 2025 following the Alhassan fight, he has been working on recovery and improving across all areas of his skill set heading into upcoming matchups. :contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}

Personal Life

Outside the Octagon, Almeida is known for his dedication to training and his roots in kickboxing. His nickname “Cesinha” comes from a family nickname, and he holds a degree in physical education. Training in Brazil and blending striking with evolving MMA techniques, Almeida continues to refine his craft as he pursues success in the UFC middleweight division. :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}