The face of the UFC’s 185-pound frame is in something of a state of flux at the moment.
Robert Whittaker, the division’s champion, has been regularly inactive since he earned the belt while the two previous titleholders, Georges St-Pierre and Michael Bisping, have both retired from the sport. Luke Rockhold, another former middleweight champion, has already made his debut at 205-pounds while Yoel Romero has also spoken of one day competing at light heavyweight.
And now you can add Ronaldo ‘Jacare’ Souza to that ever-expanding list. The Brazilian submission expert, 39, was recently defeated by Jack Hermansson and after 13 UFC fights as a middleweight, has opted to continue his career at 205-pounds. His debut will come in Sao Paulo in November against Jan Blachowicz — the man who handed Rockhold a knockout defeat on his own maiden voyage at light heavyweight. News of the booking was first reported by ESPN.
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Hoje foi dia de preparação física! Seguimos em frente! 👊🏼 #RonaldoJacaré 🐊
Blachowicz has won five of his last six in the UFC with his only defeat coming to recent title challenger Thiago Santos. He had been touted in the press as a potential title challenger to Jon Jones in the champion’s next bout.
UFC Sao Paulo will take place on November 16 at at the Ginasio do Ibirapuera.
