Jailton Almeida started his UFC career as a light heavyweight but always planned to stop cutting weight and become a full-time heavyweight. The result was a successful 5-1 run in the octagon with five dominant victories.
Jon Jones has done the same, moving up to heavyweight after cementing his name as the greatest 205-pounder in UFC history, and now Alex Pereira is targeting a move up by calling out Jones for a historical clash at the White House on June 14, 2026.
“It’s a tough fight,” Almeida told MMA Fighting of a potential Jones vs. Pereira bout. “I’m Brazilian. I’m a big fan of Jon Jones, everybody knows that. It’s going to be 50-50. … ‘Poatan’ is very tough, right? You saw his last fight. He said he wasn’t well-prepared the first time [against Magomed Ankalaev], and came different the second time. Devastating, right? He deserves the recognition in Brazil.”
Jones fought twice at heavyweight, submitting Ciryl Gane after weighing in at 248 pounds the morning before. Nearly 20 months later, Jones showed up 10 pounds lighter to walk through Stipe Miocic.
“Jon Jones moved up in weight and fought a bit heavy [against Gane],” Almeida said. “He was slow, but he’s super experienced, a martial arts maestro. You saw he came lighter for his next fight [against Miocic], around 238 pounds.”
Almeida will return to action Saturday in Abu Dhabi, facing Alexander Volkov in the undercard of Tom Aspinall’s title defense versus Ciryl Gane. “Malhadinho” hopes that a victory crowns him the No. 1 contender for the UFC 321 main event winner, but wouldn’t be surprised if Pereira jumped the line.
“In theory, defeating Volkov — and faith in God I will get that victory —, I’m next,” Almeida said. “In theory, it would be me. But we can’t forget what ‘Poatan’ has done. He has the freedom to jump the line, obviously. He’s the current champion in his division, a guy that sells a lot and has saved the UFC many times.
“I’m being realistic. He’s way ahead of me. We’ll see what the UFC can offer. Maybe they do Jon Jones and him, and me against Tom Aspinall on the White House [card] as well. And [the winners] face off next. In theory, I would be [next]. But if the UFC opts to him in front of me, he deserves to jump the line in front of me.”
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