Jailton Almeida, (also known as “Malhadinho” or “Muscly”), has left a trail of impressive finishes in the UFC’s heavyweight division.
Born June 28th, 1991, in Salvador, Bahia, Brazil, Almeida is a formidable force in the cage, standing at 6’ 4” tall and weighing in at 236 pounds.
With a passion for football, he instead turned to combat sports following in his father’s footsteps and remained dedicated as he started his journey through studying the art of Brazilian jiu jitsu.
Jailton fought Derrick Lewis in a recent fight winning by decision thus stamping himself as the next big thing on the heavyweight MMA scene!
Jailton Almeida’s fighting style has quickly garnered comparisons to the legendary Khabib Nurmagomedov, celebrated for his adept wrestling techniques and finishing prowess.
As observers draw parallels, it raises the question: Is Jailton effectively translating this distinctive style into the heavyweight division? The statistics speak volumes, with Almeida boasting impressive figures such as the lowest strikes absorbed per minute in UFC history, showcasing his defensive acumen.
Moreover, he holds the record for the highest control time percentage (89.0%) and top-position percentage (85.3%) in UFC history. These remarkable stats align seamlessly with his finishing tendencies, often culminating in submissions, solidifying the resemblance to Khabib’s dominant legacy.
Another impressive fact about Almeida is his transition in weight classes, starting from welterweight, fighting in middleweight and making his heavyweight debut almost 7 years into his career! This amazing feat certainly marks Almeida as an interesting fighter to watch out for.
With a solid pro record of 20 wins and just 2 losses, each victory a testament to his explosive fighting style and raw determination, let’s dive head on into Jailton Almeida’s Top 5 MMA Finishes! (in descending order)
5. Vs. Nasrudin Nasrudinov – CS 39 (Sept. 14, 2021)
Both fighters were synonymous with the Khabib Nurmagomedov-style finishes, no surprise especially with Nasrudin hailing from Dagestan, like Khabib.
However, Almeida truly showcased his skill in this bout, initiating the fight with a seamless double-leg takedown and smoothly transitioning into a beautiful trip as they both rose.
Almeida swiftly seized Nasrudin’s back, nearly securing the rear choke and demonstrated his dominance with his powerful physical presence.
A brief lapse in judgement shifted the momentum, placing Nasrudin in a top position, towering over Almeida as he stood up to unleash a flurry of punches.
In the blink of an eye, Almeida seizes the opportunity for a leg lock, although it’s narrowly evaded, leading both fighters back on their feet. Almeida executes another exquisite outside trip, manoeuvring Nasrudin towards the cage before the round concludes.
Round 2 commences with Nasrudin attempting a flying knee, cleverly countered into a body lock by Almeida, resulting in a takedown.
Almeida wraps around his opponent, controls the arm, and secures a hook, flipping Nasrudin onto his front.
Deepening his hooks, Almeida finishes the fight with a rear-naked choke at 1:49 in the second round.
4. Vs. Parker Porter – UFC FN 206 (May 21, 2022)
In his return to heavyweight, Almeida initially geared up to square off against Maxim Grishin. However, circumstances took a turn when Grishin withdrew from the contest.
Seizing the opportunity to demonstrate his versatility, Almeida made a bold decision to move up to the heavyweight division, where he would confront Parker Porter.
In a thrilling first round, Almeida’s tactical prowess shone as he masterfully secured a rear-naked choke, leaving spectators in awe of his adaptability and ground skills.
This remarkable last-minute showdown not only culminated in a stylish victory but also set the tone for Almeida’s burgeoning UFC career.
3. Vs. Anton Turkalj – UFC 279 (Sept. 10, 2022)
The fight commenced on a note of mutual respect as Almeida initiated a swift double-leg takedown, masterfully seizing control of Turkalj’s back without delay.
At the 4:05 mark, Almeida executed a remarkable slam, driving his opponent forcefully into the canvas while maintaining exquisite control.
With unwavering precision, he clutched Turkalj’s wrist and ensnared his legs, effectively preventing any chance of a stand-up while delivering a relentless barrage of headshots.
Almeida displayed no intention of granting his adversary respite, as he continued to maintain his vice-like leg hold even when Turkalj managed to regain his footing before succumbing to yet another takedown.
Transitioning to a top mount position, Almeida skilfully manoeuvred for a potential rear naked choke. However, he chose a different path, relentlessly pummelling his opponent until the opportune moment arrived.
Recognizing his chance, Almeida secured Turkalj in his signature rear naked choke, culminating in a victory at 4:27 of the very first round.
This impressive finish marked a successful debut in the heavyweight division and earned Almeida a Performance of the Night bonus.
2. Vs. Shamil Abdurakhimov – UFC 283 (Jan. 21, 2023)
In a much-anticipated bout that had been rescheduled multiple times, Jailton Almeida finally squared off against Shamil Abdurakhimov at UFC 283.
The first round opened with Jailton attempting a snap kick, but it was swiftly caught and countered by Abdurakhimov’s powerful overhand strike.
Fuelled by determination, Almeida retaliated with a relentless double-leg takedown, executing a resounding slam that demonstrated his grappling prowess.
He maintained remarkable control over his opponent along the cage, orchestrating another beautiful takedown.
Almeida’s ability to command the fight was on full display as he deftly transitioned to a top position and sought his opponent’s back in pursuit of his signature rear-naked choke. However, Abdurakhimov managed to escape and continued to resist on the ground.
The second round witnessed Almeida’s unwavering commitment to his game plan as he once again engaged with a double-leg takedown, picking up where he had left off in the first round.
Relentlessly attacking his opponent against the cage, Almeida unleashed a barrage of strikes, leaving spectators astonished that the referee didn’t intervene.
Regaining control, Almeida further frustrated his opponent by taking him down to the mat, maintaining the top position and delivering a relentless onslaught of blows. Finally, at 2 minutes and 56 seconds into the second round, the referee decided to halt the contest.
Jailton Almeida’s spectacular performance earned him another well-deserved Performance of the Night bonus, solidifying his reputation as a top contender in the heavyweight division.
1. Vs. Jairzinho Rozenstruik – UFC on ABC 4 (May 13, 2023)
The opening round here kicked off with Almeida initiating a double-leg takedown.
Although his first attempt was met with a counter, his second effort proved successful.
Almeida exhibited remarkable control over his opponent’s legs and waist, showing off his adept wrestling skills.
With precision, he secured his arms around Jairzinho’s neck, gradually sliding him along the floor until they reached the side of the cage.
The impact of Almeida’s knees against the cage, coupled with his brilliant wrestling, presented Jairzinho with an insurmountable challenge.
With 3:43 remaining in the round, Almeida’s ground and pound transformed into a breathtaking rear-naked choke, culminating in the fight’s conclusion, executed in Almeida’s truly smooth-but-brutal signature style.
This impressive finish not only secured Almeida’s victory but also earned him yet another well-deserved Performance of the Night award.
It underscored his remarkable versatility and innate ability to capitalise on opportunities within the octagon.
Jailton’s MMA career is a highlight reel of amazing finishes and remarkable performances. As he continues to rise in the heavyweight division, fans can assuredly anticipate more thrilling octagon moments whenever Almeida’s inside it!
