Latest news with #JailtonAlmeida
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
UFC 321 books Alexander Volkov vs. Jailton Almeida, a key heavyweight showdown
A potential title eliminator bout in the UFC's heavyweight division has finally been booked after months of discussion. Top contenders Alexander Volkov and Jailton Almeida are finally set to fight at UFC 321. The event takes place Oct. 26 at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi. Two people with knowledge of the matchup recently informed MMA Junkie of the booking but asked to remain anonymous as the promotion has yet to make an official announcement. first reported the booking. Both Volkov (38-11 MMA, 12- UFC) and Almeida (13-2 MMA, 10-2 UFC) recently expressed interest in fighting one another in interviews with MMA Junkie. Almeida claimed Volkov turned him down for a June clash in Atlanta – something Volkov didn't deny. Volkov said his declination came because he wanted a break from competition after a controversial loss to Gane in December. The defeat to Gane snapped a four-fight winning streak for Volkov, who could've aligned himself in prime position for a title shot had he won. As for Almeida, he's won back-to-back fights over Alexandr Romanov and Serghei Spivac since his TKO loss to Curtis Blaydes in March 2024. Almeida is 5-1 with four finishes since he moved to heavyweight in late 2022. With the addition, the UFC 321 lineup includes: Alexander Volkov vs. Jailton Almeida This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: UFC 321 adds huge fight: Alexander Volkov vs. Jailton Almeida
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
UFC 321 books Alexander Volkov vs. Jailton Almeida, a key heavyweight showdown
A potential title eliminator bout in the UFC's heavyweight division has finally been booked after months of discussion. Top contenders Alexander Volkov and Jailton Almeida are finally set to fight at UFC 321. The event takes place Oct. 26 at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi. Two people with knowledge of the matchup recently informed MMA Junkie of the booking but asked to remain anonymous as the promotion has yet to make an official announcement. first reported the booking. Both Volkov (38-11 MMA, 12- UFC) and Almeida (13-2 MMA, 10-2 UFC) recently expressed interest in fighting one another in interviews with MMA Junkie. Almeida claimed Volkov turned him down for a June clash in Atlanta – something Volkov didn't deny. Volkov said his declination came because he wanted a break from competition after a controversial loss to Gane in December. The defeat to Gane snapped a four-fight winning streak for Volkov, who could've aligned himself in prime position for a title shot had he won. As for Almeida, he's won back-to-back fights over Alexandr Romanov and Serghei Spivac since his TKO loss to Curtis Blaydes in March 2024. Almeida is 5-1 with four finishes since he moved to heavyweight in late 2022. With the addition, the UFC 321 lineup includes: Alexander Volkov vs. Jailton Almeida This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: UFC 321 adds huge fight: Alexander Volkov vs. Jailton Almeida
Yahoo
05-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Tom Aspinall Has a Ruthless Goal—And It Involves the Entire Heavyweight Top 10
Tom Aspinall Has a Ruthless Goal—And It Involves the Entire Heavyweight Top 10 originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Things are finally beginning to come into focus for Tom Aspinall and the heavyweight division. With the retirement of Jon Jones now firmly in the rearview mirror, the crown has shifted. A new era is taking shape, and it's clear who intends to lead it. The newly crowned heavyweight king isn't looking to protect his throne—he's out to conquer everyone in his path. Advertisement In a recent interview shared by Red Corner MMA via One on One MMA, Aspinall didn't mince words. He laid out a straightforward but bold goal for the next 12 months. 'I'd like to do 4 [fights] in the next 12 months. If you look at the top ten, I have beaten 6 of them. My goal is to beat ten of the top ten. I wanna beat all ten.' Tom Aspinall Getty Images It would be a rare accomplishment to defeat every fighter currently ranked in the UFC heavyweight Top 10. While it's a lofty goal, Aspinall seems to have a practical path in mind, and the names left on his list are already taking shape. The rumored next stop is Ciryl Gane—the slick, elusive No. 1 contender many believe would be Aspinall's toughest test. Then there's Jailton Almeida (No. 5), a dangerous grappler with something to prove, and Waldo Cortes-Acosta (No. 6), who's been quietly climbing the ladder. Advertisement Derrick Lewis (No. 9) is still in the mix and fights next week at UFC Nashville, and Tai Tuivasa (No. 10) could be another fun clash—despite admitting to Ariel Helwani in April that he's pushing 300 pounds. Each name presents a different kind of puzzle, and Aspinall seems ready to solve them all. It's an ambitious campaign—and if Aspinall pulls it off, it could be one of the most dominant title runs in UFC heavyweight history. Related: UFC Faces Pressure as Ilia Topuria's Next Opponent Narrowed to 3 Possibilities Related: Ilia Topuria's Plan for the Undefeated Star Is Anything But Respectful This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 3, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
25-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Jailton Almeida Calls Out Tom Aspinall for UFC Heavyweight Title Fight
Jailton Almeida Calls Out Tom Aspinall for UFC Heavyweight Title Fight originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The UFC heavyweight division is finally showing signs of life. With Jon Jones reportedly stepping away from the sport, a long-stalled weight class is beginning to churn forward. Title hopefuls are lining up—and many are drooling at the chance to seize the throne. The belt is active, the king is crowned, and the contenders smell blood. One Brazilian wrecking ball isn't waiting around for a phone call. Advertisement That man is Jailton Almeida. The 33-year-old Brazilian from Salvador has quietly become one of the most avoided problems in the UFC—just ask anyone who's had to peel him off their back. After Tom Aspinall was formally recognized as the undisputed champion, Almeida fired off a raw and direct challenge on social media: Congrats champ. You deserve that. Now, let's make the only fight who make sense! Aspinall vs Almeida for undisputed HW title of the world. Gane ducks you and me before, already fought for the belt and lost 2-times, and his last win was a robbery. Tom AspinallGetty Images No fluff. No filters. Just pressure. Almeida is 9-1 in the UFC and currently riding a two-fight win streak. His most recent outing ended with Sergei Spivac flat on the canvas in Round 1 at UFC 311. His only loss came against Curtis Blaydes, but it hasn't slowed the narrative that he's a stylistic nightmare. Advertisement Almeida has finished eight of his nine UFC wins—most of them by submission or ground-and-pound. His ability to drag elite fighters into his world and end fights without absorbing much damage has become his calling card—and part of why many believe top contenders are hesitant to take the risk. Now, with the Jon Jones era all but closed, Almeida wants in. He's not asking. He's demanding. The question is whether Dana White and company are ready to let the grappling juggernaut off the leash. The window is open, and the call has been made. Now it's on the UFC to answer. Related: Tom Aspinall Has the Heavyweight Crown—Three Challengers Eye His First Defense Related: UFC Signs Former PFL Heavyweight Champion in Strategic Roster Move This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 22, 2025, where it first appeared.
