Jailton Almeida plans to fight again in October before securing the UFC heavyweight championship in 2024.
On May 13, Almeida further legitimized his world championship aspirations in the UFC Charlotte main event. ‘Malhadinho’ avoided the dangerous power of Jairzinho Rozenstruik and finished the fight quickly with a first-round rear-naked choke submission.
Almeida is the number twelve-ranked UFC heavyweight, while Rozenstruik is number nine. Once the rankings are updated, the Brazilian future title contender could find himself in the top ten. During the UFC Charlotte post-fight press conference, ‘Malhadinho’ had this to say about what’s next:
“I’m very happy to be looking into the top ten right now and by the end of the year make it to seventh or sixth and then next year, maybe, go and shoot for that title we all dream of.”
Jailton Almeida made his UFC debut in February 2021 after earning a contract on Dana White’s Contender Series. He started his promotional tenure with one win at light heavyweight, one at a catchweight (220 pounds), and a third at heavyweight. After his first three Octagon appearances, the Bahia native committed to the heavyweight division.
Almeida has fought twice in 2023, with the first being a second-round TKO against Shamil Abdurakhimov. He followed up that performance with his first-round submission at UFC Charlotte. ‘Malhadinho’ is targeting a third fight in the calendar year.
Jailton Almeida defeats Jairzinho Rozenstruik via Submission (Rear Naked Choke) in the 1st at UFC Charlotte
Jailton wins a POTN bonus
Need to see Jailton vs Sergei next
(@ebay_FightPicks) https://t.co/IY5uwlHQIN
— The Octagon Obsessed (@octagonobsessed) May 14, 2023
Watch the UFC Charlotte post-fight press conference below:
Jailton Almeida calls out Tai Tuivasa for later this year
Jailton Almeida wants to end the calendar year as a top-seven UFC heavyweight. Therefore, he will likely need a win against Alexander Volkov (#7), Tai Tuivasa (#6), or Curtis Blaydes (#4). During the same post-fight press conference, Almeida voiced his interest in fighting Tuivasa on October 21 at UFC 292 in Abu Dhabi:
“UFC Abu Dhabi or UFC Brazil in October, so Tai Tuivasa. Either he comes to Brazil and feels the energy down there, or perhaps go to Abu Dhabi, where I hear he does his camps.”
Tuivasa is coming off back-to-back knockout losses against Ciryl Gane and Sergei Pavlovich. ‘Bam Bam’ isn’t scheduled for his next fight, making him a possible opponent for Almeida. Only time will tell if the UFC decides to make the striker vs. grappler matchup.
