Jailton Almeida vs Curtis Blaydes In Work for UFC Sao Paulo Event
Jailton Almeida is set for another big showdown as UFC fastracks him as the main event player in heavyweight division. And this time, he might headline an event in his native Brazil.
A report from MMA Junkie states that UFC is working to complete the deal for a fight between Jailton Almeida and Curtis Blaydes. The bout is expected to headline an event in Sao Paulo, Brazil, on November 4, 2023. The report suggests that verbal agreements are in place and the contract will be finalized in the upcoming days.
Jailton Almeida has been one of the blue-eyed boys in UFC’s Heavyweight division since his debut. Almeida originally made his promotional debut in a light heavyweight bout in February 2022 after singing through Dana White Contender Series 2021 season. He moved up to heavyweight after taking a short notice fight to beat Parker Porter in May 2022.
Curtis Blaydes vs. Jailton Almeida is in the works to headline UFC's return to São Paulo after 4 years 🔥
— MMA Junkie (@MMAJunkie) June 1, 2023
News via @mma_kings & @MikeBohn
Full story: https://t.co/Pt6oKqMOJd pic.twitter.com/lFfRHqP507
Jalton has maintained his winning streak ever since starting with a win over Anton Turkalj in a catchweight 220 lbs fight. He was on the prelims card when UFC returned to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, at UFC 283 to beat Shamil Abdurakhimov. His most recently match was against Jairzinho Rozenstruik where he headlined UFC on ABC 4 to get a submission win in the first round.
Almeida is currently ranked at #9 in UFC Rankings in the heavyweight division after just 5 bouts. His rise is very similar to that of Ciryl Gane who went on to become interim Heavyweight Champion in just his 10th MMA and 7th UFC fight.
Curtis Blaydes is ranked at #4 in the rankings after a recent defeat to Sergei Pavlovich ended his three-fight winning streak. Blaydes had a win over Jairzinho Rozenstruik at UFC 266 before he headlined 3 Fight Night events in a row. First of those bouts was a win over to Chris Daukaus followed by win over Tom Aspinall in London, before the loss to Pavlovich. His overall UFC record stands at 12-4.
UFC has not made the fight night event on November 4, 2023, official, or that they are planning any event in Sao Paulo altogether. Keep tuned in for the latest updates.