Thomas Almeida hasn?t been seen in action since suffering a second round TKO loss to Rob Font at UFC 220 in January of 2018.
An eye injury and subsequent surgery has kept Almeida out of action for two-plus years, but the fighter says he is ready to return to action.
?Health comes first,? Almeida told MMA Fighting. ?An athlete must know how to deal with this. Highs and lows, being active or inactive. I needed that time off to rest, and I used that to recover from other injuries as well. I?m ready now, so let?s go for it. I went to Los Angeles to get cleared by the doctor, and now I?m cleared. That?s extra motivation for me. I?m gonna focus now and wait for the UFC to book my next fight. I got wood to burn. I already spoke with my manager and he?s on it to set something up.?
Almeida also told MMA Fighting that he would like to return at UFC Fight Night Brasilia, but nothing is set in stone at this time.
Don?t expect to see Almeida change his fighting style, despite the health issues that knocked him out of action for over two years.
?I can?t change who I am,? Almeida said. ?I was raised in brawls, but I have to be smart and know when it?s time to walk forward and engage. You?ll see next time I fight. I can?t talk too much. I don?t like to talk too much, I like to do.?
The fighter now returns to a weight class ruled by Henry Cejudo, who is expected to defend the gold against Jose Aldo at UFC 250.