Donte Johnson vs. Cesar Almeida
UFC 334 · November 14, 2026 · Madison Square Garden · Prelims
The brief
- What kind of fight
- Undefeated prospect vs. short-notice kickboxing veteran
- Finish likelihood
- Medium
- The line
- No line posted yet
- The stakes
- Middleweight · Prelims
The read
Johnson's power and athleticism make him the live favorite against a short-notice replacement, and his unbeaten start suggests real upside.
Almeida's kickboxing power means every exchange is live regardless of preparation time, giving him a puncher's chance to spoil the prospect's night.
The matchup
Susurkaev's late withdrawal brings in veteran kickboxer Almeida on short notice against an undefeated prospect who has yet to be tested.
Johnson's knockout power and college-football athleticism have overwhelmed his first eight opponents, while Almeida's kickboxing pedigree gives him swinging-for-the-fences power even with minimal time to prepare.
Tale of the tape
| 8-0-0 | Record | 7-3-0 |
| — | Age | 38 |
| — | Height | — |
| — | Reach | — |
| — | Stance | — |
| United States | Country | Brazil |
| Gnosis Combat Sports | Team | Lotus MMA |
The numbers
Career UFC averages. Red bar = statistical edge.
The fighters
Donte Johnson 8-0-0
“Lockjaw”
Donte 'Lockjaw' Johnson is an undefeated 8-0 middleweight from Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, who trains at Gnosis Combat Sports after playing college football at Minnesota Duluth. Six of his eight career wins have come by knockout, including a unanimous decision over Cody Brundage at UFC 326 in March 2026 that kept his unbeaten start intact. He now faces late replacement Cesar Almeida after Baisangur Susurkaev withdrew from the original matchup.
Has never lost.
- WCody Brundage · Decision (unanimous)UFC 326 · March 7, 2026
Cesar Almeida 7-3-0
“Cesinha”
Cesar 'Cesinha' Almeida is a 38-year-old Brazilian middleweight who fights out of Lotus MMA after an extensive kickboxing career in Glory and Superkombat. Five of his seven career wins have come by knockout, and he earned his UFC contract with a decision win over Lucas Fernando on Dana White's Contender Series. He steps in on short notice against Donte Johnson, who arrives at a perfect 8-0, after Baisangur Susurkaev withdrew from the bout.
UFC debut — no prior UFC bouts.