Tag: Jailton almeida

Jon Jones lauded as number one heavyweight in UFC amid injury, spat with interim best Tom Aspinall

Jon Jones lauded as the best heavyweight in UFC by Jailton Almeida he's still number oneUFC heavyweight, Jailton Almeida gives his thoughts on the UFC’s heavyweight landscape — including current champion, and sought-after eventual…

Jon Jones lauded as the best heavyweight in UFC by Jailton Almeida he's still number one

UFC heavyweight, Jailton Almeida gives his thoughts on the UFC’s heavyweight landscape — including current champion, and sought-after eventual foe, Jon Jones.

Almeida has emerged as a potential future heavyweight champion, going 6-0 inside the UFC since his debut in May of 2022. Most recently he defeated former title challenger, Derrick Lewis over five rounds and now finds himself ranked No.7.

Almeida’s grappling skills and athletic ability has seen him rack-up 19 stoppage victories ( 12 submissions, 7 knockouts) in his 20 wins.

Jailton Almeida talks potential Tom Aspinall clash, Jon Jones’ reign

Talking to MMA Junkie through an interpreter in an interview facilitated by Stake.com, Almeida discussed the now intriguing heavyweight picture. Almeida says that he would like to take on newly crowned interim heavyweight champion, Tom Aspinall, or former interim title holder Ciryl Gane. 

Aspinall would defeat Sergei Pavlovich in just over a minute in the co-main event of UFC 295 last month.

“Against Ciryl Gane would be ideal, but Tom Aspinall already spoke to the media or whoever and is already talking about a fight with Jailton,” Almeida said. “So, I think probably the Tom Aspinall fight will come first.”(H/T MMA Junkie)

“It will be a very good fight because Tom Aspinall is a complete fighter,” Almeida said. “He has really good movement. I see myself as an equal in the sense that it would be a good, fair fight. It would be for the future of the category. It’s going to be the future fight for the title.”

While Aspinall’s body of work is certainly impressive, Almeida still believes that reigning undisputed champion, Jon Jones, is still the best in the world.

Jon Jones is still the best in the division,” Almeida said. “I believe Tom Aspinall could eventually get there, but for me, there is no doubt that Jon Jones is still No. 1.”

Who would win if they fought: Jailton Almeida or Tom Aspinall?

Jailton Almeida calls for interim title clash with Tom Aspinall: ‘It would be a good, fair fight’

Jailton Almeida Tom AspinallWith the UFC heavyweight division currently in limbo, rising contender Jailton Almeida believes his next fight should be against…

Jailton Almeida Tom Aspinall

With the UFC heavyweight division currently in limbo, rising contender Jailton Almeida believes his next fight should be against interim champion Tom Aspinall.

After undisputed heavyweight king Jon Jones was forced out of his UFC 295 scrap with Stipe Miocic, the UFC booked an interim title tilt between Aspinall and Russian knockout artist Sergei Pavlovich. It only took 69 seconds for the UK star to score a stunning KO to claim the temporary title.

With news that the UFC will still move forward with Jones vs. Miocic once ‘Bones’ is cleared to return, Aspinall has been wondering where exactly that leaves him in the grand scheme of things.

Not interested in sitting on the sidelines for another year, Aspinall could find himself looking for a fight in the interim.

Jailton Almeida would like to be the guy that keeps him busy.

“Against Ciryl Gane would be ideal, but Tom Aspinall already spoke to the media or whoever and is already talking about a fight with Jailton,” Almeida told MMAjunkie.com. So, I think probably the Tom Aspinall fight will come first. It will be a very good fight because Tom Aspinall is a complete fighter. He has really good movement. I see myself as an equal in the sense that it would be a good, fair fight. It would be for the future of the category. It’s going to be the future fight for the title.”

Jailton Almeida Believes Jon Jones is Still the Best Heavyweight in the world

Almeida has won 15 straight fights dating back to 2018, including six in a row inside the Octagon. In November, ‘Malhadinho’ landed a decisive unanimous decision victory over fan favorite Derrick Lewis.

Though Almeida sees himself and Tom Aspinall as the future of the heavyweight division, he can’t deny that Jon Jones is still the best in the world, for now.

“Jon Jones is still the best in the division. I believe Tom Aspinall could eventually get there, but for me, there is no doubt that Jon Jones is still No. 1,” Almeida added.

Jailton Almeida calls for title eliminator with Ciryl gane after dominant UFC Sao Paulo win: ‘I’ll fight in Paris’

Jailton Almeida calls for fight with Ciryl Gane next after UFC Sao Paulo winOff the back of a dominant wrestling and grappling performance en route to a decision shutout win over common-foe,…

Jailton Almeida calls for fight with Ciryl Gane next after UFC Sao Paulo win

Off the back of a dominant wrestling and grappling performance en route to a decision shutout win over common-foe, Derrick Lewis in the main event of UFC Sao Paulo last night in his native, Brazil – surging contender, Jailton Almeida has offered to feature in a championship eliminator in his next fight, calling out former interim champion, Ciryl Gane for a clash on enemy soil in Paris.

Almeida, the current number nine ranked heavyweight contender, made his second Octagon walk in his native Brazil this year – remaining undefeated in the promotion, courtesy of a one-sided unanimous decision (50-44, 50-44, 50-45) victory against short-notice replacement and former title chaser, Lewis.

The victory came as Bahia native, Almeida native’s second in as many main event clashes, having previously taken home a one-sided first round rear-naked choke win against another common-opponent, Jairzinho Rozenstruik back in May in the main event of UFC Charlotte.

Jailton Almeida calls out Ciryl Gane after UFC Sao Paulo win

And announcing plans to sit Octagon-side next weekend in New York ahead of an interim heavyweight title fight between Sergei Pavlovich and Tom Aspinall at UFC 295, Almeida suggested a number one contenders fight between himself and former interim gold holder Gane in France next.

“You know we worried; we knew he (Derrick Lewis) had a heavy hand,” Jailton Almeida told Michael Bisping during his Octagon interview after UFC Sao Paulo. “We had 15-20 days to come up with a strategy for this fight, and we were able to keep him down and avoid his right hand.”

“I was touched and I didn’t really feel it,” Jailton Almeida explained. “I’m going to call out a name here. I want Ciryl Gane. I’ll fight in Paris, we can do it in Salvador, wherever. I’m ready; let’s do it, Ciryl Gane.” 

Most recently headlining the promotion’s sophomore appearance in his native Paris, former interim champion, Gane landed a hugely dominant win over Moldovan grappler, Sergei Spivak, landing a barrage of strikes on the challenger en route to a second round TKO win back in September. 

Who wins in a future fight: Jailton Almeida or Ciryl Gane?

Jailton Almeida Dominates Derrick Lewis, earns Decisive unanimous decision – UFC Sao Paulo Highlights

Jailton AlmeidaJailton Almeida earned his 15th straight win inside the Octagon on Saturday night in the UFC Sao Paulo headliner,…

Jailton Almeida

Jailton Almeida earned his 15th straight win inside the Octagon on Saturday night in the UFC Sao Paulo headliner, scoring a decisive unanimous decision victory over heavyweight knockout artist Derrick Lewis.

Fans looking to see an exciting first-round finish were left undeniably disappointed as Almeida took ‘The Black Beast’ into deep waters, riding out (literally) the 25-minute affair in complete control from bell to bell. Almeida put his world-class grappling skills to work, taking down Lewis in each round at will, and was largely content to hold position, controlling Lewis, but unwilling to offer much in the way of strikes or submission attempts.

In the opening round, Almeida nearly secured an arm triangle choke, but after Lewis successfully defended, Almeida no longer seemed interested in hunting for submissions.

In the end, it made for a bit of a snoozefest, but Almeida once again showed the world that he is perhaps the greatest grappler in the heavyweight division.

Official Result: Jailton Almeida def. Derrick Lewis via unanimous decision (50-44, 50-44, 50-45)

Check Out Highlights From Derrick Lewis vs. Jailton Almeida at UFC Sao Paulo Below:

Derrick Lewis claims he was ‘Tricked’ into UFC Sao Paulo clash with Jailton Almeida: ‘I didn’t want to fight here’

Derrick Lewis claims he was tricked into UFC Sao Paulo fight I didn't want to fight hereFormer undisputed and interim heavyweight championship challenger, Derrick Lewis has claimed he was “tricked” into fighting Jailton Almeida in…

Derrick Lewis claims he was tricked into UFC Sao Paulo fight I didn't want to fight here

Former undisputed and interim heavyweight championship challenger, Derrick Lewis has claimed he was “tricked” into fighting Jailton Almeida in this weekend’s UFC Fight Night headliner in Sao Paulo, Brazil – revealing he did not want to fight in the country.

Lewis, a former multiple-time title challenger under the banner of the promotion, makes his return to the Octagon this weekend in a reshuffled UFC Sao Paulo main event against the surging, Almeida, replacing an injured former foe, Curtis Blaydes.

Returning to the winner’s enclosure at UFC 291 back in July, Lewis turned in stunning opening minute stoppage win over Marcos Rogerio de Lima with a flying knee and follow-up strikes in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Derrick Lewis claims he was “tricked” into fighting in Brazil

Hitting the headlines following an arrest and subseqeunt charge for reckless driving this week, Lewis has claimed once touching down in Brazil for his fight with Almeida – how he never actually wanted to fight in Sao Paulo, and was “tricked” into the bout.

“A few weeks ago we got a call about this guy and I just agreed straight away,” Derrick Lewis told FOX Sports during a recent interview. “I didn’t know the fight was in Brazil, though. It was only after accepting that they [the UFC] told me. I’d always said to my manager I would never fight in Brazil because of the taxes being so bad. So I got tricked into accepting this fight.”

“I said I didn’t want to fight here, and since arriving, nothing has changed,” Derrick Lewis explained. “I can’t wait to go home. I’m basically fighting for them right now. I’m not getting anything out of it. By the time I pay my coaches and so on – it’s not even worth it – and that’s if I don’t get pickpocketed here. Plus, I can’t eat none of the food – I’m not trusting it, I’ll end up sick.” 

Who wins at UFC Sao Paulo: Jailton Almeida or Derrick Lewis?

Derrick Lewis Offers hilarious reaction to his reckless driving arrest: ‘That ain’t me’

Derrick LewisUFC heavyweight fan favorite Derrick Lewis was reportedly arrested for reckless driving last month after police officers clocked him…

Derrick Lewis

UFC heavyweight fan favorite Derrick Lewis was reportedly arrested for reckless driving last month after police officers clocked him going 136 mph, nearly three times the posted 50 mph limit, in a red Lamborghini.

‘The Black Beast’ was released the same day on a $100 recognizance bond. By the time the news started making it into headlines, Lewis was already in Sao Paulo, Brazil gearing up for his UFC Fight Night headliner against streaking division standout Jailton Almeida.

“I don’t even think that was me,” Lewis jokingly told reporters during the UFC Sao Paulo media event on Wednesday. “That guy had hair. You seen the picture? I don’t got no hair. That ain’t me.”

In a rather hilarious turn, the arrest report lists Lewis as having black hair (he’s bald) and weighing 215 pounds. Perhaps that argument will work in his favor when he returns to court on December 27 to face the misdemeanor charge.

Derrick Lewis charge

Derrick Lewis Goes into UFC Sao Paulo as a Sizeable Underdog.

Until then, Lewis will look to build off the momentum he gained following his impressive first-round knockout of Marcos Rogério de Lima at UFC 291. Before that, ‘The Black Beast’ had lost four of his last five fights, all finishes.

Meeting him inside the Octagon on Saturday will be fast-rising heavyweight contender Jailton Almeida. Riding into the bout on a 14-fight win streak, ‘Malhadinho’ has finished every man he has faced under the UFC banner. As a result, Almeida is listed as a -500 favorite to get the W in his home country. Lewis currently sits as a +380 underdog.