Almeida recently announced his decision on ProMMA Radio.

In addition to being simply good news for his fans, Almeida’s new role is also likely to be welcomed by avid followers of the sport who recognize the value of an experienced fighter and respected instructor influencing how decisions are determined, especially when considering the countless questionable results doled out by ringside officials in the past.

Almeida has not discussed any intentions to eventually expand his jurisdiction will expand to other neighboring States.

As a competitor, Almeida compiled a 13-5 record in MMA including wins over Kendall Grove, Matt Horwich, Ryo Chonan, Kazuo Misaki, and Nate Marquardt. He is also known for a high level of success in BJJ with success on both the Pan American and ADCC stage.

PHOTO CREDIT – UFC

“Back in 2008 I decided to return to MMA,” the 34-year old began. “Since then I have had the privilege of fighting eight times in the UFC. As a competitor I can think of no bigger thrill than to stand in the center of the Octagon with my hands raised.

“During these almost four years it has been a personal struggle to find balance between my fighting career, caring for my son who was diagnosed with autism soon after I signed a six-fight deal with the UFC, teaching at my growing Jiu-Jitsu Academy, and the family duties we all have,” he continued. “MMA is a great sport but also physically and mentally unforgiving. It is a dangerous task to step in the Octagon, especially if your focus is not at 100%.”

Almeida also made sure to thank his bosses at the UFC including matchmaker Joe Silva as well as teammates, family, students, and of course fans who he credited with making “MMA the greatest sport there is.”

The heavy-hearted statement marks the second time Almeida has hung up his gloves with the first occurring in 2004 and resulting in a four-year hiatus from the sport. Assuming he is indeed done for good the submission specialist retires with six wins in the UFC and an overall record of 13-5 including five victories by way of tap-out. He holds past wins over Kendall Grove, Matt Horwich, Kazuo Misaki, Ryo Chonan, and Nate Marquardt.

PHOTO CREDIT – UFC

News of the possible pairing was reported by MMAWeekly where it was explained verbal agreements from both sides were in place without an official contract having been signed yet.

Almeida is 2-1 since dropping down from middleweight with the loss coming to divisional great Matt Hughes at UFC 117 in August. Prior to the switch he had beaten a number of notable draws such as Kendall Grove, Matt Horwich, Ryo Chonan, Nate Marquardt, and Kazuo Misaki, and most recently found success against T.J. Grant in Montreal at UFC 124.

His Xtreme Couture-trained opponent, Pyle, turned heads last October after dominating then-undefeated Brit John Hathaway at UFC 120. “Quicksand” also won his prior fight by way of submission against Jesse Lennox and has tapped sixteen of the twenty individuals he’s beaten.

If the fight comes to fruition, the two talented mat-based experts will join a line-up already rumored to feature a title-fight between UFC light heavyweight champ Mauricio “Shogun” Rua and former belt-wearer Rashad Evans, as well as a bout between Frank Mir and Brendan Schaub.

PHOTO CREDIT – UFC

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“King Mo” Lawal Speaks About his Start in MMA (Heavy.com)

An In-Depth Look at the Shane Carwin Steroids Scandal (WatchKalibRun.com)

Mike Brown Back in Action at WEC 51 (Versus.com)

FightHype.com is reporting that while nothing is official, Almeida will face Kendall Grove at UFC 101 which is scheduled for August 8th in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Almeida recently made known his desire to drop down to 170 known after defeating Matt Horwich via unanimous decision at UFC Fight Night 18 last week. Almeida is 2-1 since returning to action after an almost four year layoff. He has defeated Rob Yundt along with Horwich and lost a unanimous decision to Patrick Cote at UFC 86 which cost him a shot at the middleweight title.

Grove is riding a two fight win streak which includes a split decision victory over the late Evan Tanner at The Ultimate Fighter Finale 7 in June of last year and a resounding 1st round TKO over Canadian Jason Day at UFC 96 in March. That victory came on the heels of UFC president Dana White declaring that the fight with Day may be a make or break situation for the Hawaiian fighter.

UFC 101 will feature a lightweight title match between number one contender Kenny Florian and champion B.J. Penn.

Former light heavyweight champion, Forest Griffin, will be making his return to the octagon for the first time since losing the title to Rashad Evans at UFC 92 when he takes on hard hitting Brazilian, Thiago Silva.

Also rumored for the card is a light heavyweight bout between Brandon Vera and Matt Hammil.

The UFC has added some east coast fighters to the mix as they come back east for the first time since UFC 78 which took place in November of 2007 from Newark, NJ. New Jersey native Kurt Pelligrino will take on Josh Neer and New York college student, Tamdan McCrory, will face off with John Howard.

The news was first reported by MMA Weekly.

Miller last competed at UFC Fight Night 15, submitting Rob Kimmons via rear naked choke in the first round. He was also the last IFL middleweight champion before the promotion closed its doors. Coincidentally, Horwich was also the IFL middleweight champion at one point so this fight pits former IFL 185 lbs. champions against one another.

Horwich, who trains out of Team Quest, will be making his UFC debut. Horwich posted a 7-4 record in the IFL competing at both light heavyweight and middleweight and last competed at an IFL show in May of this year defeating Joey Guel via unanimous decision.

UFC 90 is set to feature a middleweight title matchup between Anderson Silva and Patrick Cote as well as a welterweight matchup between Diego Sanchez and Thiago Alves.

Horwich, a member of Matt Lindland’s Team Quest in Portland, Ore., is 23-10-1 overall in his MMA career. He posted a 7-4 record in the IFL with notable victories over Mike Pyle, Brian Foster, and Benji Radach.

With his win over Radach this past December during the league’s World Grand Prix finals, Horwich became the IFL’s first-ever middleweight champion. However, Horwich lost the title to Ryan McGivern in his first-ever defense this past February in Las Vegas.

The 30-year old last competed during the IFL’s last-ever show on May 16 in Connecticut, where he recorded a unanimous decision victory over former training partner Joey Guel.

Horwich is the latest in a long line of former IFL fighters to enlist with the UFC, a list that includes Rory Markham, Andre Gusmao, Brad Blackburn, Jim Miller, Dan Miller, Mike Massenzio, and Reese Andy.

Horwich’s opponent, Almeida, is 9-3 overall in an MMA career that dates back to 2000. A black belt under the legendary Renzo Gracie, Almeida operates his own school in New Jersey and has an extensive background as a competitive grappler.

He returned to competitive MMA after nearly a four-year absence this past February at UFC 81, where he needed just 1:08 of round 1 to submit Rob Yundt with a guillotine choke.

Almeida most recently fought on July 5 at UFC 86 in a featured bout vs. Patrick Cote in which the winner would earn a title shot against current UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva. Following a split decision loss to Cote sis lifetime record in the UFC fell to 2-3. Prior to his return at UFC 81, Almeida had previously competed in the UFC between 2001-2002. He is also a veteran of PRIDE and Pancrase.

UFC 90 will take place from the Allstate Arena in Rosemont, Ill., located just outside of Chicago. The event is scheduled to be headlined by a title defense by Silva against Cote. A welterweight bout between Thiago Alves and Diego Sanchez is also being advertised and the UFC has also officially announced a previously reported matchup between Thales Leites and Goran Reljic.

The reason why Maynard’s denial of a license is notable is because he was born with a condition known as congenital amputation that left him with arms that end above the elbow and legs that extend barely beyond his hips.

According to the article, commission chairman J.J. Biello claimed “overriding safety concerns” for his reason in refusing to grant Maynard a license to fight.

Maynard has never allowed his handicap to stop him before, as he competed in football during his middle school years and wrestled in high school. It doesn’t sound like he’s going to walk away from his foal of competing in MMA, either.

“I’m going to fight somewhere, some day,” Maynard is quoted as saying in the Journal-Constitution after the decision was rendered.

This is a story I plan to keep following.