Jailton Almeida dominated Derrick Lewis for nearly 25 minutes in their UFC Sao Paulo main event, using his wrestling prowess to control the fight and secure a unanimous decision victory.
Jailton Almeida notched a unanimous decision victory over Derrick Lewis in the UFC Sao Paulo main event, despite spending almost 25 minutes in a dominant position on top. Almeida’s game plan was clear from the start, constantly shooting for takedowns and seeking to advance his position on the ground. While he prioritized control over inflicting major damage, it proved sufficient to secure the win.
The judges’ scorecards reflected Almeida’s dominance, with a unanimous verdict of 50-44, 50-44, and 50-45. Celebrating his undefeated record in the UFC, Almeida made a point of looking back at Lewis’ pre-fight desire for a brawl. Almeida proudly exclaimed to the audience, “Did I give you guys a show or what? We knew that he has a heavy hand. We were able to do that and keep him down.”
Almeida wasted no time in pressuring Lewis early in the opening round, anticipating his opponent’s knockout-seeking approach. He quickly dived for the legs, striving to secure the takedown. While Almeida came close to executing an arm triangle choke, Lewis managed to escape the tricky position through scrambling and squirming.
Despite occasional bursts of energy from Lewis, Almeida remained cautious, well aware of the Black Beast’s power. He consistently worked to bring the fight back to the ground and successfully neutralized Lewis’ attempts to land a devastating blow. In the latter rounds, Almeida chose to maintain top control rather than actively pursuing submission attempts, ensuring he wouldn’t lose his advantageous position.
Towards the end of the fight, Almeida unleashed heavier punches, prompting Lewis to make his final stand by getting back to his feet. However, this resurgence was short-lived as Almeida swiftly took Lewis down again until the final bell rang. The victory extended Almeida’s UFC record to an impressive 6-0, marking the first time he went the distance in his entire career.
Following the fight, Almeida already had his sights set on his next opponent, expressing a desire to face Ciryl Gane. Not bothered by the location, Almeida declared, “I’ll fight in Paris. We can do it in Brazil, wherever. Let’s do it Ciryl Gane.” Concluding the night with this confident challenge, Almeida showcased his determination to keep climbing the ranks.