Jailton Almeida, a prominent figure in the heavyweight division of mixed martial arts, is gearing up for his next challenge after a split-decision loss against veteran Alexander Volkov at UFC 321 in Abu Dhabi last October. Almeida, who has made a name for himself over 15 years in the sport, believes that external factors influenced the decision in that closely contested bout, suggesting that the proximity to Volkov’s home crowd may have played a role in the outcome.
This weekend, Almeida is set to return to the octagon, facing fellow heavyweight Rizvan Kuniev at UFC Vegas 113, streamed live on Paramount+ from Meta Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada. This matchup represents a significant opportunity for Almeida to not only kick off the new year with a victory but also to regain his standing in a heavyweight division that is relatively thin at the moment. More importantly, a win against Kuniev would allow Almeida to expunge the memory of his loss to Volkov, demonstrating to fans that he is anything but a dull fighter.
Reflecting on the negative feedback surrounding his previous performance, Almeida noted, “A lot of people talked about [the fight], saying they didn’t like it… but they say that because I’m Brazilian, right? If it were a foreigner everyone would like it.” He acknowledges that criticism comes with the territory in the competitive world of MMA, stating, “We’re going to get criticism and praise. That’s life, and that’s why we choose this sport.”
Despite reviewing his fight with Volkov multiple times and recognizing a slight drop in his aggression, Almeida is confident he did enough to win. He reiterated his belief that had the match taken place in the United States or Brazil, the result would have swung in his favor. “But that’s how it is. I think it was how God wanted it to be,” he remarked, maintaining a positive outlook as he prepares for his upcoming fight.
This weekend’s bout serves as a chance for Almeida to reestablish himself as a top contender and silence any lingering doubts about his fighting style. With a renewed focus, he is determined to showcase his skills and prove that he can deliver an exciting performance that resonates with fans and critics alike.