LAS VEGAS – Cezary Oleksiejczuk is ready to join his brother on the big stage of the UFC middleweight division, and his tenure begins Saturday at UFC on ESPN 73.
Oleksiejczuk (16-3 MMA, 0-0 UFC), a Dana White’s Contender Series contract winner, makes his octagon debut in a main card showdown with Cesar Almeida (7-1 MMA, 3-1 UFC) at the UFC Apex (ESPN2, ESPN+). He has seen his brother Michal Oleksiejczuk make the walk to the UFC cage 17 times to this point, so it has him comfortable and at ease.
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“I feel very good, and Saturday I will win my debut,” Oleksiejczuk told MMA Junkie and other reporters at Wednesday’s UFC on ESPN 73 media day. “I’m ready for war.”
It’s not an easy draw for Oleksiejczuk’s first promotional appearance. Almeida is a decorated kickboxer who competed against Alex Pereira three times from 2013-2015, in one of which he earned a decision victory.
Almeida, 37, is a threat on the feet, and Oleksiejczuk, 25, is relishing it.
“My opponent has good striking,” Oleksiejczuk said. “Very good. Legendary striking, and I need to keep good distance and this is a good fight for me because Almeida is high in the top, and if I win this fight I’m up in the rankings.”
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More than 80 fighters have made their UFC debut in 2025. Oleksiejczuk will be the last to make the walk on the final event of the year, and he will be looking to make a lasting impression.
“I need to go to the second or maybe third round,” Oleksiejczuk said. “Almeida doesn’t like to fight in the second and third round. I think that’s a good idea for the win.”
This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Cezary Oleksiejczuk has match for ‘legendary’ opponent at UFC Vegas 112
