Prior to each UFC card, Jay Primetown takes a close look at debuting fighters. In the latest installment, we look at undefeated Brazilian strawweight Ericka Almeida as she takes on veteran Juliana Lima at Fight Night 67 in Goiania, Brazil. Ericka Almeida Hometown: Sorocaba, Sao Paulo, Brazil Age: 26 Height: 5’5” Reach: N/A Weight Class: Strawweight Camp: Herman Gutierrez Team MMA Career Record: 7-0 Key Wins: None Key Losses: None Background The Jungle Fight strawweight champion is a perfect 7-0 in her career. All of her wins have come inside the distance with six of them coming via submission. Strengths
- Does her best striking in the clinch
- Works knees well to the body in clinch
- Good trip technique to work in takedowns
- Strong top control game
- Aggressive submission attempts
Weaknesses
- Needs work on her boxing
- Takedown defense needs improvement
- Aggressiveness can lead to losing position on the mat
- Lacks high level professional experience
Matchup with Juliana Lima Ericka Almeida is a good prospect in this division, but this is a tough debut fight for her. Almeida is at her best when she can control the position, fight from top control, and work in submissions. While she has some ability to score a submission off her back, but it’s not her main focus era. In this bout she faces fellow Brazilian Juliana Lima. The veteran has a good wrestling base for this division. That should be the difference in this fight. I expect Lima to score takedowns in this fight and be in top position for the majority of the bout. It will be difficult for Almeida to win from the bottom against an opponent whom never has been submitted. Almeida will need to show more tenacity and control in her grappling to get the win here. This is a real step up for her, I just think this is too much for her at this stage of her MMA career. UFC Ceiling Ericka Almeida has the potential to be a good MMA fighter. She has an improving strike game combined with a top heavy-focused grappling game. As she continues to strengthen physically, her grappling should improve. She will need to move to a bigger camp to be pushed in training each day. It’s rare for a great fighter to emerge from a camp with no other professional fighters. Almeida is no different; she needs some seasoning to become a better than average strawweight in the UFC. Fight Film Check out Ericka Almeida in some of his recent fights: Ericka Almeida vs. Maiara Amanajas Ericka Almeida vs. Jennifer Gonzalez Ericka Almeida vs. Mylla Souza