The New Jersey Martial Arts Hall of Fame to honor Ricardo "Cachorrao" Almeida

Ricardo Almeida

From New Jersey Martial Arts Hall of Fame:

The esteemed Almeida selected as the MMA Judge of the Year

(New Jersey) - 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.comand 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.

Here is the complete list of award winners:

2012 Inaugural Class Inductee Awards

Legend Award- Renzo Gracie

Lifetime Achievement Award- Louis Neglia

MMA Fighter of the Year- Frankie Edgar

MMA Female Fighter of the Year- Munah Holland

Muay Thai Fighter of the Year- Ognjen Topic

Muay Thai female fighter of the Year- Prairie Rugilo

MMA Trainer of the Year-Mike Constantino

Muay Thai Trainers of the Year- Ray Cruz and Joe Bumanlag

MMA Promoter of the Year- Rob Haydak

MMA Matchmaker of the Year-Sam Caplan

Muay Thai Matchmaker of the Year- Chris Tran

Muay Thai Referee of the Year- Coban

MMA Referee of the Year- Dan Miragliotta

MMA Judge of the Year- Ricardo Almeida

Muay Thai Judge of the Year- Vladimir Borodine

Ringside Physician of the Year- Dr. Sherry Wulkan

Announcer of the Year- Kevin Garvey

Media Personality of the Year-Jim Genia

Pioneer MMA Fighter Award- Dave Tirelli

Outstanding Achievement in MMA- Kurt Pellegrino