Brazilian powerhouse Jailton Almeida is quietly building one of the most dominant résumés in UFC heavyweight history, and his impressive numbers are backing up the confidence he carries heading into UFC 321 in Abu Dhabi.
Almeida, known as “Malhadinho,” is set to face Alexander Volkov in a high-stakes clash that could serve as a title eliminator, with the winner potentially earning a shot at Tom Aspinall or Ciryl Gane — who headline the same event.
Statistically, Almeida is already in rare air. The Brazilian currently holds three all-time UFC records:
- Control Time Percentage: 84.2% (best in UFC history)
- Top Position Percentage: 77.2%
- Strikes Absorbed Per Minute: Only 0.88
That level of dominance is nearly unheard of in the heavyweight division.
“I get hit more in training than in the fight,” Almeida said in an interview with MMA Fighting. “The guys I spar with are faster in striking. Heavyweights use so much power that they lose speed, so you can see the strike coming.”
After originally competing at light heavyweight, Almeida moved up to heavyweight — and the results have been spectacular. He’s won five of his last six fights, including finishes over Serghei Spivac and Alexandr Romanov, showing both his submission prowess and newfound confidence in striking.
“It gives me confidence to show my striking against Spivac,” Almeida explained. “I’m still evolving. Volkov is big and very experienced on the feet, but we’re prepared for everything. We’ll strike if we need to, and we’ll take him down if it gets rough.”
Despite being known as a striker, Volkov also brings a black belt in jiu-jitsu and nearly 50 professional fights of experience. Almeida isn’t taking him lightly.
“Volkov is a good matchup for me, but not an easy one,” Almeida said. “He’s evolving on the ground too. He fought Ciryl Gane, Curtis Blaydes, and Tom Aspinall — and I think he actually beat Gane. So he wants the same thing I do — a shot at the belt.”
Although Almeida wasn’t told he could serve as a backup fighter for the main event, he’s training as if the opportunity might come.
“I prepared for five rounds in the gym,” he said. “If they call me, I’ll be ready.”
Originally rumored for UFC Rio, the matchup was ultimately moved to Abu Dhabi — reportedly at Volkov’s request.
“He wouldn’t fight me in Rio because the crowd would be against him,” Almeida joked. “But Abu Dhabi also has a lot of Brazilians. I’d fight him anywhere — even on Mars.”
With elite control, confidence in his evolving skill set, and the hunger to reach the top, Jailton Almeida might be just one dominant win away from breaking into UFC title contention.
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