Outside Source
After a promising start, Jailton Almeida’s run at heavyweight has fallen flat. | Getty/UFC
Jailton Almeida is done with the heavyweight experiment.
After consecutive losses against Rizvan Kuniev and Alexander Volkov, Almeida is planning to return to the light heavyweight division. The information was released by manager Leonardo Pateira during the Brazilian podcast “Connect Cast.” Sherdog subsequently contacted Pateira, who confirmed the information and added that UFC has already been informed of Almeida’s decision.
Diminishing Returns
“Maladinho” earned a UFC contract by winning a light heavyweight fight on Dana White’s Contender Series in September 2021. He was successful in his Octagon debut at 205 pounds, finishing Danilo Marques in the opening stanza at UFC Fight Night 200 in February 2022. After one 220-pound catchweight victory, the Brazilian moved to the heavyweight division, where he has compiled a 5-3 record since 2023.
While Almedia secured noteworthy wins against the likes of Jairzinho Rozenstruik, Derrick Lewis and Serghei Spivac, his last two performances left plenty to be desired — both in the final result and in the overall performance. In his most recent loss against Kuniev at UFC Fight Night 266, Almeida failed on all eight takedown attempts and appeared reluctant to engage in striking exchanges for any significant period of time.
This article first appeared at Recent News on Sherdog.com
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