Ronaldo ‘Jacare’ Souza’s future in the UFC middleweight division is up on this air today following his loss in the UFC on ESPN+ 8 event to Jack Hermansson in Sunrise, Florida last weekend. 

Souza has been one of the longest tenured elite fighters in the UFC to have not yet received a title shot at 185-pounds and had suggested in the lead-up to last weekend’s fight that he would consider stepping away from the sport if he was not granted a title opportunity with a victory.

But what of a loss? It is unlikely that the 39-year-old Brazilian will be awarded a title shot anytime soon following the defeat, with him alternating wins and losses through his last four contests.

Despite his world class submission skills, Jacare has recently showed off a fondness for kickboxing. His last two wins, against Chris Weidman and Derek Brunson, have come by virtue of his fists with his last submission in the Octagon coming by way of kimura against Tim Boetsch at UFC 208 in February of two years ago.

“I’m sad, because I did a great training camp for this fight,” Souza said to assembled media immediately following last weekend’s fight as quoted by MMA Junkie. “I don’t feel tired. But I can’t put my game on in the octagon. I’m bad right now.”

Despite his frustration at the outcome and, perhaps, his own loss of form Jacare made a point of congratulating Hermansson on a “great job”

This time last week Jacare’s future plans consisted of beating Jack Hermansson, stating his case for a world title shot and then going on holiday with his family. As it stands, just one of those things will come to pass.

“I don’t have plan right now,” Souza said. “I come back to my home. Take a vacation with my family. Tomorrow, I’m going out with my kids. I don’t know. I need back with my family and that’s it.”