After a huge bounce-back win at UFC 302 this past Saturday, heavyweight contender Jailton Almeida made an optimistic callout for a fight against Ciryl Gane at UFC Paris.
The promotion announced they will return to the French capital on September 28th, for just their third event in the country and Jailton Almeida wants in.
After headlining the previous two events in the country, heavyweight contender Ciryl Gane will likely headline once again, with him looking to return to the title picture.
The Frenchman previously called for an interim heavyweight title fight against Tom Aspinall, but the Brit will instead defend his title against Curtis Blaydes at UFC 304, in Manchester.
Jailton Almeida eyeing Paris main event against Ciryl Gane
Almeida returned to the win column with a win over Alexandr Romanov on the UFC 302 prelims, following a disappointing loss to ‘Razor’ Blaydes this past March at UFC 299.
The 32-year-old secured his fourth UFC win by submission and once again showcased why he is a threat in the heavyweight division and is now eyeing a title eliminator fight against Ciryl Gane in Paris.
‘Bon Gamin’ has come under criticism lately for turning down a UFC 304 fight against Aspinall as he is scheduled to star in a French film, which is currently being filmed.
Although ‘Malhadinho’ is hoping for a fight against Gane, he is prepared to fight anyone on the September 28 date, as he wants to visit France.
“This week I was able to see the Statue Of Liberty and it got my blood going and I want to see the Eiffel Tower now because I want to do some more sight-seeing, it just so happens that Ciryl is probably going to be the main event there,” Almeida said in the UFC 302 post-fight press conference.
“I want to fight in Paris, it doesn’t matter if it’s Ciryl, great if he doesn’t want to fight me whatever, I’ll fight anybody there,” Almeida added.
Almeida offers an early prediction for a potential fight against Gane
The 34-year-old hasn’t fought since his fight against Serghei Spivac last September, and fortunately, he was able to keep that fight on the feet.
In his fight before that, Gane was embarrassed by Jon Jones at UFC 285 after ‘Bones’ submitted him with ease after just two minutes.
With Gane’s defensive grappling weakness in mind, Almeida believes that he could score a late finish against the Frenchman.
“A fight is always different but I would for sure be looking for the finish, I don’t know if I could get it as early on as Jon Jones was able to because I don’t think Ciryl was expecting that but I can see me finishing him later on in the third or fourth round,” Almeida predicted.