The New Jersey Martial Arts Hall of Fame to Honor Ricardo “Cachorrao” Almeida

The New Jersey Martial Arts Hall of Fame is extremely proud of its inaugural class of inductees to the New Jersey Martial Arts Hall of Fame. This class will be honored at the induction dinner gala to be held at the beautiful Crowne Plaza Meadowlands on December 7, 2012.

On December 7th, Ricardo Almeida will be inducted as the MMA Judge of the Year.

Almeida is a long time Bordentown resident who has had an academy in Hamilton.

Obviously, Almeida could be inducted as a master grappler, a worthy MMA fighter, or as a respected trainer.  However, Almeida is being inducted for taking the historic step of being the first UFC and Pride veteran to ever offer their services back to the sport as a MMA official.

On May 5, 2012, he made his major event debut as a main card judge at UFC on FOX 3 card at the Izod Center in East Rutherford.

Almeida is a third degree black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under Renzo Gracie.

Almeida is a veteran of the Ultimate Fighting Championship, PRIDE Fighting Championships, ADCC, Grapplers Quest and a former Middleweight King of Pancrase.

Almeida has trained and taught former UFC Lightweight Champion Frankie Edgar and many others at his Gracie system academy in Hamilton.

Tickets to the awards dinner can be purchased by calling 201-538-4843 or online at www.njmmaawards.com. Discount hotel room rates at the Crowne Plaza can be also obtained by calling 877-227-6963 and mentioning the Hall of Fame dinner.

New Jersey is building a rich tradition in non-boxing martial arts and our goal is to recognize these individuals and entities. Our goal is to honor those involved with New Jersey martial arts and to celebrate with them, at an evening with family and friends. Our focus is on those directly involved in New Jersey martial arts. This truly is a historical moment in our State’s combat sports history as our intent is to have the New Jersey State Martial Arts Hall of Fame continue for many years and serve as a record for those outstanding individuals involved in martial arts in our State.

We hope you will join us on December 7, 2012. Mark your calendars now and purchase your tickets early so you can be sure to be a part of New Jersey martial arts history. Call 201-538-4843 or visit www.njmmaawards.com and get your ticket and join us in a historic night for New Jersey and for martial arts. It is certain to be a terrific night with family, friends, fun, and music.