Jacare signs new 8-fight deal with UFC
Ronaldo "Jacare" Souza's signature gator crawl is staying in the Octagon after his team announced an eight-fight deal with the UFC on Friday.
The news was initially teased by UFC president Dana White, who shared a picture of Jacare holding what appeared to be a new contract. The signing was later corroborated by MMA Fighting's Ariel Helwani:
Jacare Souza has signed a new eight-fight deal with the UFC, per his team. The first fight of the deal is tomorrow. They're very happy. pic.twitter.com/MH6yOO8n4z
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) April 14, 2017
Saturday's fight with Robert Whittaker at UFC on FOX 24 in Kansas City was originally going to be the last on Souza's current deal, but it will now mark the beginning of a fresh run with the promotion.
The 37-year-old middleweight has compiled a 7-1 record in the UFC and a 24-4 professional record overall (with one no-contest). Twenty of Souza's 24 wins have come by knockout or submission.
Souza currently holds the No. 3 spot on the official rankings.