One of the contenders overlooked for Tom Aspinall’s first defense as undisputed UFC heavyweight champion has reacted to the recent major news.
After plenty of uncertainty prior to Dana White announcing Jon Jones’ retirement, the UFC heavyweight division finally has its next title fight in the calendar.
Following a record stint with the interim title, Aspinall was elevated to undisputed UFC heavyweight champion after ‘Bones’ repeatedly refused to fight him and unify the belts. And unlike his predecessor, the Briton has vowed to be an active titleholder.
With that in mind, it is unsurprising that the champ’s first defense has already been confirmed. White recently announced Aspinall vs. Ciryl Gane for the main event of UFC 321 in Abu Dhabi on October 25.
‘Bon Gamin’ was seemingly among three options for the bout, and one of the two snubbed contenders has made a promise.
Jailton Almeida vows to fight the winner of Tom Aspinall vs. Ciryl Gane
Aspinall previously said Gane is “due” a beating, and their matchup looked likely after Jailton Almeida was booked against Alexander Volkov.
The charging Brazilian and Volkov, a former opponent of the champ’s, briefly had their names in the hat to challenge the Manchester native, but they will now need to duke it out in a likely title eliminator to secure the next spot in line.
But despite his frequent calls to get the shot evidently falling on deaf ears, Almeida is not fazed. In fact, he reacted on social media positively to the news, welcoming the chance to impress on the same card as his division’s next title fight.
“Everything is moving along perfectly! I’m heading out, I’ll do my part and seal my title fight,” Almeida wrote (translated via X). “I’m bringing this one home to Brazil, mark my words!”
Jailton Almeida’s teammate backs him to unseat Tom Aspinall
Almeida would no doubt have the backing of Brazil should he make it to a maiden title shot in his career, and among his biggest supporters will be Eduarda Moura.
Moura, a teammate of the heavyweight contender’s, recently backed her compatriot’s chances of beating Aspinall during an interview with MMA Fighting.
“I believe ‘Malhadinho’ will be much better prepared for Aspinall because Aspinall will be the toughest fight of ‘Malhadinho’s’ career, of his entire life,” Moura said. “I believe it’s good that he has this time to work and evolve and get to his 100 percent when he fights Aspinall, and God willing bring us the belt.
“I think ‘Malhadinho’ takes him down and catches him, for sure. Aspinall is dangerous, everybody knows that. He’s fast and has heavy hands, so I believe ‘Malhadinho’ will go for the takedown early — as he always does, as he loves doing.
“I hope he takes him down and catches him quickly so our hearts don’t suffer too much [laughs],” Moura added.