UFC’s Heavyweight Division Loses Another Top Contender as Jailton Almeida Gets Removed from Roster

Brazilian heavyweight Jailton Almeida gets cut from the UFC after losing his last two bouts and lackadaisical performances.

UFC’s Heavyweight Division Loses Another Top Contender as Jailton Almeida Gets Removed from Roster

Jailton Almeida cut from the UFC (via MMA Mania)

In Short
  • Jailton Almeida has been released from the UFC following consecutive lackluster performances.
  • His fighting style, heavily reliant on grappling, drew criticism and failed to impress UFC leadership.
  • Almeida's early career successes were overshadowed by recent losses, highlighting the UFC's focus on exciting fights.

Jailton Almeida was known for his exceptional BJJ skills, specializing in the rear-naked choke throughout the majority of his career. His grappling-focused style became his trademark and earned him recognition in MMA circles. However, he has faced multiple losses recently and has come under growing criticism for his fighting style. These factors ultimately led to the UFC releasing him from his contract.

In the early stages of his career, Almeida earned a UFC contract through Dana White’s Contender Series after impressive performances. He defeated notable fighters, including Jairzinho Rozenstruik and Derrick Lewis. The win over Lewis was his first decision in the UFC, but drew criticism for its lack of action. These early successes helped firmly establish ‘Malhadinho’s presence in the heavyweight division.

However, Almeida lost his last two UFC appearances, and both were widely seen as lackluster. His UFC 321 defeat to Alexander Volkov featured limited offense and a slow pace, leaving him unable to control the fight. The following loss to Rizvan Kuniev showed similar struggles, with Almeida unable to impose his grappling. These consecutive underwhelming performances led the UFC to release him.

The loss to Alexander Volkov also put Almeida in an unfavorable light in the eyes of UFC CEO Dana White. He emphasized that fighters cannot win solely on the basis of top control time. The UFC boss highlighted that some meaningful damage must be inflicted for a win to be justified. Almeida’s performance at UFC 321 reinforced this perspective and drew criticism from the promotion’s leadership.

Outside the octagon, Almeida is widely known for his wholesome personality, which resonates with many fans. He once accepted a charity match against a man with Down Syndrome to help fulfill the man’s dream of fighting a UFC athlete. After the bout, Almeida awarded him a special belt and proudly raised his hand in celebration. These actions highlighted his generosity and commitment to giving back.

While Jailton Almeida’s latter performances likely contributed to his release, seven of his eight UFC wins came by ground-and-pound or submission. He had also been open to moving up to light heavyweight after his latest loss. His release underscores the importance of staying active and consistently showing results. Despite setbacks, his record highlights his grappling skills and marks the end of his UFC tenure.

MMA analyst gets candid on UFC fighters steering their own career after Jailton Almeida being cut

UFC CEO Dana White has often emphasized that the promotion serves as a platform for fighters to build their careers. He highlights the importance of storytelling and developing a strong personality inside and outside the cage. By showing a fighter’s character, athletes can connect with audiences. This connection often helps them rise in popularity and achieve superstar status within the sport.

Jailton Almeida
Jailton Almeida (via MMA Mania)

White has long criticized boring performances and once jokingly offered a “boring fight of the night” award to Jailton Almeida after his bout with Derrick Lewis. The Boys in the Back podcast hosts Conner Burks and Eric Jackman recently revisited the topic, discussing the UFC’s tendency to cut unengaging fighters. This highlights the promotion’s focus on action and entertainment alongside results in the cage.

The message has never been more clear. It is written in spray paint across the UFC facility: put on exciting fights. If you’re not doing that, you’re in real trouble.

Eric Jackman via The Ariel Helwani Show

The podcast also discussed former Bellator bantamweight champion Patchy Mix being cut from the UFC after a lack of notable performances in his UFC career. They related his release to Jailton Almeida’s situation, emphasizing that fighters who fail to deliver action or remain inactive risk losing their spot. Both cases highlight the UFC’s renewed focus on exciting fights and consistent engagement.

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