Estefani Almeida Record: 9-2-0

Tests against future UFC talent

Almeida's climb repeatedly put her in with fighters bound for the sport's highest level. In February 2016 she dropped a bout to Ketlen Vieira, then an undefeated 5–0 prospect who would go on to become a top UFC bantamweight contender. Almeida regrouped immediately, winning her next several fights on the regional scene. In August 2018 she took a Dana White's Contender Series opportunity against Taila Santos, the unbeaten 14–0 prospect and future UFC flyweight title challenger, and came up short on the scorecards. Both of Almeida's career losses, notably, came against this caliber of opposition – and both went the distance, with neither future UFC standout able to finish her.

Bouncing back

Almeida answered the Contender Series setback the same way she had handled adversity before: with a finish. In November 2018 she submitted her opponent with a second-round armbar at WOCS 53, reaffirming the grappling threat that complements her striking. After a lengthy layoff, she returned in July 2023 to outpoint the 5–1 Daniela Antonelli by decision on an LFA card in Brazil, proving she could win the long, technical fights as well as the fast ones.

Fighting style

Almeida is a pressure fighter first, and her finish breakdown reflects it: five of her nine wins have come by knockout, with two more by submission for a 78% finish rate. Her best moments – the flying-knee-and-punches stoppage, the first-round knockouts – come when she walks opponents down and lets her hands and knees go in tight. The armbar win shows she is no liability on the mat, and the decision over Antonelli proves she can manage a measured pace when a finish doesn't materialize. Her clearest area for growth is reflected in her two losses: against elite, well-rounded opponents who could neutralize her pressure, she has had to settle for the scorecards.

Career highlights

• Flying-knee finish — stopped her opponent with a third-round flying knee and punches at Mr. Cage 23 in 2016, a highlight of her aggressive striking.
• LFA decision win — outpointed the 5–1 Daniela Antonelli at LFA 162 in 2023, showing she can win on the scorecards as well as by finish.
• Tested by UFC-caliber prospects — went the distance against future UFC contenders Ketlen Vieira and Taila Santos, neither of whom could finish her.