"Jacare" Souza (photo via UFC)

By FCF Staff

One of the planet’s best middleweights, “Jacare” Souza, will enter free agency following UFC on FOX 24, but the star’s manager says they’re hoping to resign with the promotion.

Souza will take on fellow contender Robert Whittaker at this Saturday’s event, which will take place in Kansas City, Missouri. Heading into the card, the Brazilian fighter is ranked #3 at 185, and Souza has gone 7-1 in UFC action. Recently Souza’s manager Gilberto Faria confirmed to MMA Fighting that this weekend’s fight will be the last on “Jacare’s” contract. Faria, however, also said this:

“We’ve been going back and forth (with UFC officials) for a while. We still have not reached an agreement on his value, but we will continue to talk after the fight. Our goal is to reach a new agreement shortly. The UFC middleweight belt is Jacare’s goal. With a good contract in place, we will keep fighting the best middleweight talents out there and earn the title shot.”

The UFC’s #5 ranked middleweight, Gegard Mousasi, has also become a free agent following his TKO win over Chris Weidman at UFC 210.