Jailton Almeida

Jailton Jesus Almeida Júnior (born 28 June 1991) is a Brazilian professional mixed martial artist. He currently competes in the Heavyweight division in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). As of November 7, 2023, he is #7 in the UFC heavyweight rankings.

Background
Almeida was born in the Brotas neighborhood of Salvador. Almeida's first dream was to be a football player, his family's finances became an obstacle after he was required to acquire $10,000 real to join a club. He ended up following his father's footsteps into fighting, beginning by training boxing at the age of six, and starting Brazilian jiu-jitsu at 11. He eventually started training mixed martial arts as his jiu-jitsu training partners were training it. Financial difficulties also imposed themselves in martial arts, leading Almeida to work as a doorman and guard while his dream of being a fighter was put on hold.

Almeida is the son of divorced parents. He has 11 siblings, his older brother Alexandre disappeared one day after being involved with a criminal syndicate and was never seen again.

Early career
To start his professional mixed martial arts career, Almeida racked a 13–2 record in Brazilian regional circuit.

Dana White's Contender Series
After claiming the Thunder Fight title, Almeida was invited to face Nasrudin Nasrudinov at Dana White's Contender Series 39 on September 14, 2021. He won the bout via second-round submission and was awarded a UFC contract.

Ultimate Fighting Championship
Almeida was scheduled to make his promotional debut against Danilo Marques on November 13, 2021, at UFC Fight Night 197. However Marques required surgery so the bout was rescheduled for February 5, 2022 at UFC Fight Night 200. Almeida won the fight via technical knockout in round one.

Move up to heavyweight
As his sophomore appearance in the organization, Almeida was scheduled to face Maxim Grishin on May 21, 2022, at UFC Fight Night 206. However, Grishin pulled out due to undisclosed reasons in late April. Almeida decided to move up to heavyweight to face Parker Porter. He won the fight via rear-naked choke in round one.

As the first bout of his new contract, Almeida was scheduled to face Shamil Abdurakhimov at UFC 279 on September 10, 2022. However, Abdurakhimov was forced to withdraw due to visa issues and was replaced by Anton Turkalj at a catchweight of 220 pounds. He dominated the bout, taking down Turkalj and submitting him at the end of the first round via rear-naked choke. He received his first Performance of the Night bonus award.

The bout against Shamil Abdurakhimov was rebooked for UFC 280 on October 22, 2022. With that date also falling through, the pair was re-booked for a third time at UFC 283. Almeida won the fight via technical knockout in the second round. With this win, he received the Performance of the Night award.

Almeida faced Jairzinho Rozenstruik on May 13, 2023, at UFC on ABC 4. He won the bout via rear naked choke in first round. This win earned him the Performance of the Night award.

Almeida was scheduled to face Curtis Blaydes on November 4, 2023, at UFC Fight Night 231. However, Blaydes withdrew for unknown reasons and was replaced by former UFC Heavyweight Championship challenger Derrick Lewis. Almeida won the fight via unanimous decision. He also registered 21:10 of ground control time, the record for a UFC heavyweight bout and fourth-most in UFC history. Almeida's performance and the fight were criticized by fans and fellow fighters for a lack of offense.

Almeida faced Curtis Blaydes on March 9, 2024, at UFC 299. After scoring multiple takedowns and controlling the first round with his grappling, Almeida lost the fight via knockout early in the second round.

Almeida was scheduled to face Alexander Volkov on June 1, 2024 at UFC 302. However, the bout was scrapped for unknown reasons and Volkov was booked for UFC on ABC 6 against Sergei Pavlovich. Almeida ended up facing Alexander Romanov instead. Almeida won the fight by a rear-naked choke submission in the first round.

Championships and accomplishments

 * Ultimate Fighting Championship
 * Performance of the Night (Three times) vs. Anton Turkalj, Shamil Abdurakhimov and Jairzinho Rozenstruik
 * Second fewest strikes absorbed-per-minute in UFC history (0.69)
 * Fewest strikes absorbed-per-minute in UFC Heavyweight division history (0.77)
 * Highest control time percentage in UFC history (88.3%)
 * Highest control time percentage in UFC Heavyweight division history (87.3%)
 * Third most top position time in UFC Heavyweight division history (39:21)
 * Highest top-position percentage in UFC history (80.8%)
 * Highest top-position percentage in UFC Heavyweight division history (79.8%)
 * Most submissions-per-15 minutes in UFC Heavyweight division history (2.43)
 * Most ground control time in a UFC heavyweight bout (21:10) vs. Derrick Lewis
 * Fourth-most ground control time in a UFC bout (21:10) vs. Derrick Lewis
 * Most takedowns landed in a UFC Heavyweight round (9 in Round 1) vs. Curtis Blaydes
 * Fight On MMA
 * FON Light Heavyweight Championship (one time)
 * Thunder Fight
 * Thunder Fight Light Heavyweight Championship (one time)