Jailton Almeida, eager for a UFC fight, is willing to drop back to light heavyweight to challenge Magomed Ankalaev, citing a lack of heavyweight opportunities and feeling overlooked despite recent victories.
Jailton Almeida is itching for a UFC fight and is even ready to drop back to light heavyweight for it. After his first-round demolition of Serghei Spivac, which marked his second consecutive quick finish, he had hoped for a No. 1 contender bout with Ciryl Gane or Alexander Volkov.
But when that didn’t pan out, he set his sights on interim champ Tom Aspinall. Aspinall’s patience is wearing thin with Jon Jones‘ future up in the air. “It’s tough, man,” Almeida chuckled in an interview with MMA Fighting. “Of the top names, only Tom Aspinall mentions me. Gane, Volkov—they’re silent. What’s on their minds?”
Almeida is still grinding in Brazil, training twice daily, ready for any short-notice opportunities. Volkov openly refuses to face him, and Gane’s off doing movies. Almeida argues he should be first in line for Aspinall. “It’s not fair for Gane to fight Aspinall,” he said. “I’m coming off a big win. Pavlovich and Volkov already fought him. Blaydes is booked. It’s me who makes sense.”
With the heavyweight scene jammed, Almeida turned his attention to Magomed Ankalaev. The Russian, who dethroned Alex Pereira, called out the light heavyweight division. Almeida, who began his UFC career at 205 pounds, is eager to challenge the new champ.
“I’m up for it,” Almeida declared, critiquing Ankalaev’s bravado. “He’s the champ, but you need time to prep for a title fight. He’s clout chasing.” Almeida’s ready to cut weight if Ankalaev agrees.
Currently weighing 240 pounds, Almeida says the cut to light heavyweight would be easier now due to higher body fat. Despite an injury preventing him from helping Pereira train, he’s keen to face Ankalaev. “If he goes down, he’s not getting up,” Almeida warned. “I’m a finisher, knockout or submission.”