Jailton Almeida

Background Almeida was born in the Brotas neighborhood of Salvador. Almeida's first dream was to be a football player, but his family's finances became an obstacle after he was required to acquire $10,000 real to join a club. He ended up following his father's footsteps into fighting, beginning by training boxing at the age of six, and starting Brazilian jiu-jitsu at 11. He eventually started training mixed martial arts as his jiu-jitsu training partners were training it. Financial difficulties also imposed themselves in martial arts, leading Almeida to work as a doorman and guard while his dream of being a fighter was put on hold.

He has 11 siblings; his older brother Alexandre disappeared one day after being involved with a criminal organization and was never seen again.

Ultimate Fighting Championship Almeida was scheduled to make his promotional debut against Danilo Marques on November 13, 2021, at UFC Fight Night 197. However Marques required surgery so the bout was rescheduled for February 5, 2022 at UFC Fight Night 200. Almeida won the fight via technical knockout in round one.

Move up to heavyweight As his sophomore appearance in the organization, Almeida was scheduled to face Maxim Grishin on May 21, 2022, at UFC Fight Night 206. However, Grishin pulled out due to undisclosed reasons in late April. Almeida decided to move up to heavyweight to face Parker Porter. He won the fight via rear-naked choke in round one.

As the first bout of his new contract, Almeida was scheduled to face Shamil Abdurakhimov at UFC 279 on September 10, 2022. However, Abdurakhimov was forced to withdraw due to visa issues and was replaced by Anton Turkalj at a catchweight of 220 pounds. He dominated the bout, taking down Turkalj and submitting him at the end of the first round via rear-naked choke. He received his first Performance of the Night bonus award.

The bout against Shamil Abdurakhimov was rebooked for UFC 280 on October 22, 2022. With that date also falling through, the pair was re-booked for a third time at UFC 283. Almeida won the fight via technical knockout in the second round. With this win, he received the Performance of the Night award.

Almeida faced Jairzinho Rozenstruik on May 13, 2023, at UFC on ABC 4. He won the bout via rear naked choke in first round. This win earned him the Performance of the Night award.

Almeida was scheduled to face Curtis Blaydes on November 4, 2023, at UFC Fight Night 231. However, Blaydes withdrew for unknown reasons and was replaced by former UFC Heavyweight Championship challenger Derrick Lewis. Almeida won the fight via unanimous decision. He also registered 21:10 of ground control time, the record for a UFC heavyweight bout and fourth-most in UFC history. Almeida's performance and the fight were criticized by fans and fellow fighters for a lack of offense.

Almeida faced Curtis Blaydes on March 9, 2024, at UFC 299. After scoring multiple takedowns and controlling the first round with his grappling, Almeida lost the fight via knockout early in the second round.

Almeida was scheduled to face Alexander Volkov on June 1, 2024 at UFC 302. However, the bout was scrapped for unknown reasons and Volkov was booked for UFC on ABC 6 against Sergei Pavlovich. Almeida ended up facing Alexander Romanov instead. Almeida won the fight by a rear-naked choke submission in the first round.

Almeida faced Serghei Spivac on January 18, 2025 at UFC 311. He won the fight by technical knockout at the end of the first round. This fight earned him another Performance of the Night award.

Almeida faced Alexander Volkov on October 25, 2025, at UFC 321. He lost the fight by split decision.

Replacing Ryan Spann, who withdrew for undisclosed reasons, Almeida faced Rizvan Kuniev on February 7, 2026 at UFC Fight Night 266. He lost the fight by unanimous decision.

On February 11, 2026, it was reported that the UFC has parted ways with Almeida, after losing a lackluster decision to Kuniev.

Absolute Championship Akhmat On February 21, 2026, it was reported that Almeida signed with Russian promotion Absolute Championship Akhmat.

Championships and accomplishments Ultimate Fighting Championship Performance of the Night (Four times) Highest control time percentage in UFC Heavyweight division history (67.7%) Third most top position time in UFC Heavyweight division history (51:51) UFC.com Awards 2022: Ranked #2 Newcomer of the Year Fight On MMA FON Light Heavyweight Championship (one time) Thunder Fight Thunder Fight Light Heavyweight Championship (one time) Cageside Press 2022 Newcomer of the Year MMA Junkie 2023 Breakout Fighter of the Year MMA Fighting 2022 Second Team MMA All-Star 2023 Second Team MMA All-Star

Mixed martial arts record Loss

Rizvan Kuniev Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Bautista vs. Oliveira

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Loss

Alexander Volkov Decision (split) UFC 321

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates Win

Serghei Spivac TKO (punches) UFC 311

Inglewood, California, United States Win

Alexander Romanov Submission (rear-naked choke) UFC 302

Newark, New Jersey, United States Loss

Curtis Blaydes KO (punches) UFC 299

Miami, Florida, United States Win

Derrick Lewis Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Almeida vs. Lewis

São Paulo, Brazil Win

Jairzinho Rozenstruik Submission (rear-naked choke) UFC on ABC: Rozenstruik vs. Almeida

Charlotte, North Carolina, United States Win

Shamil Abdurakhimov TKO (punches) UFC 283

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Win

Anton Turkalj Submission (rear-naked choke) UFC 279

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Parker Porter Submission (rear-naked choke) UFC Fight Night: Holm vs. Vieira

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Danilo Marques TKO (punches) UFC Fight Night: Hermansson vs. Strickland

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Nasrudin Nasrudinov Submission (rear-naked choke) Dana White's Contender Series 39

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Edvaldo de Oliveira Submission (rear-naked choke) Thunder Fight 24

São Paulo, Brazil Win

Ildemar Alcântara Submission (arm-triangle choke) Thunder Fight 23

São Bernardo do Campo, Brazil Win

Leonardo Argemiro Vasconcelos Correa TKO (punches) Future FC 11

São Paulo, Brazil Win

Ednaldo Oliveira Submission (arm-triangle choke) Fight On 6

Salvador, Brazil Win

Rian Tavares TKO (punches) Imperium MMA Pro 14

Feira de Santana, Brazil Win

Italo Nascimento KO (punches) Premier Fight League 20

Lauro de Freitas, Brazil Win

Douglas Garcia Submission (rear-naked choke) JF Fight Evolution 19

Juiz de Fora, Brazil Win

David Allan TKO (punches) Fight On: Solidário

Salvador, Brazil Loss

Bruno Assis Decision (unanimous) Shooto Brazil 80

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Win

Anderson Oliveira do Nascimento Submission (rear-naked choke) Fight On 5

Salvador, Brazil Loss

Tyago Moreira KO (punch) Katana Fight 3

Colombo, Brazil Win

Fagner Rakchal TKO (punches) Fight On 4

Salvador, Brazil Win

Roberto Bispo Silva Submission (rear-naked choke) Cross FC 2

Itabuna, Brazil Win

Leonardo Alves Submission (rear-naked choke) Conquista Kombat

Vitória da Conquista, Brazil Win

Diego Reis Submission (rear-naked choke) Nocaute MMA Fight 2

Eunápolis, Brazil