UFC Cuts Jailton Almeida Following Consecutive Losses

Jailton Almeida, a Brazilian mixed martial artist, has been released by the UFC following consecutive defeats. This decision comes as Almeida, 34, faced challenges in his recent bouts against Alexander Vokov and Rizvan Kuniev.

Background on Jailton Almeida

Almeida held a professional record of 8-3 in the UFC. He began his journey in the organization after winning a light heavyweight match on Dana White’s Contender Series in September 2021. His Octagon debut occurred at UFC Fight Night 200, where he successfully finished Danilo Marques in the first round.

Recent Performance and Losses

After moving through various weight classes, Almeida compiled a 5-3 record in the heavyweight division since 2023. Despite achieving notable victories over fighters such as Jairzinho Rozenstruik, Derrick Lewis, and Serghei Spivac, his recent performances fell short of expectations.

• Latest Losses:
  • Defeated by Alexander Vokov at UFC 321
  • Lost to Rizvan Kuniev at UFC Fight Night 266

In his fight against Kuniev, Almeida struggled, failing on all eight takedown attempts and displaying hesitance in striking exchanges. Prior to that, against Vokov, he managed seven takedowns and over ten minutes of control time, but landed only nine significant strikes resulting in a split-decision loss.

UFC Response

The UFC management, including CEO Dana White, expressed their stance on Almeida’s performance post-fight. White emphasized that merely controlling an opponent without effectively striking is not a winning strategy.

Contractual Decisions

Following his losses, it was reported that Almeida was informed of his release from the UFC. He accepted the fight against Kuniev on short notice, which was part of a new contract opportunity with the promotion. Almeida mentioned his commitment to staying active and supporting his teammates while preparing for fights.

This decision marks a turning point in Almeida’s career, prompting questions about his future in mixed martial arts.