Former UFC contender Jailton Almeida set for ACA debut in September
The Brazilian heavyweight will headline the promotion's Sept. 12 event in Russia, marking the first chapter of his career outside the UFC.
Jailton Almeida has his next challenge. After being cut from the UFC roster and signing with ACA last February, the Brazilian has booked his promotional debut and will face Evgeniy Goncharov at ACA 207, scheduled to take place Sept. 12 in Krasnodar, Russia.
After earning a UFC contract through Dana White's Contender Series, "Malhadinho" signed with the promotion in 2021 and spent more than four years competing inside the Octagon.
Jailton Almeida's Rise and Fall in the UFC
Almeida made his UFC debut against Danilo Marques, where he earned a first-round TKO victory. He continued to impress in his next appearances and, by the end of 2023, had compiled a perfect 6-0 record inside the Octagon, winning five of those fights by TKO or submission. During that stretch, the Brazilian also picked up notable victories over Derrick Lewis and Jairzinho Rozenstruik.
Eventually, Jailton Almeida suffered his first UFC defeat but bounced back with two consecutive first-round victories. Despite regaining momentum, Almeida was defeated by Alexander Volkov and later by Rizvan Kuniev, which ultimately led to his release from the promotion.
During his UFC run, the Brazilian established himself as one of the heavyweight division's top contenders, climbing to No. 6 in the rankings and earning four Performance of the Night bonuses.
New Chapter in Jailton Almeida's Career
After being released by the UFC, Jailton Almeida almost immediately signed with ACA and will make his promotional debut in September. Based in Russia, the promotion is considered one of the largest and most competitive organizations outside the UFC, featuring a roster packed with experienced international fighters.
At 35 years old, Jailton Almeida now begins a new chapter of his career outside the UFC. With a professional record of 22-5 and an aggressive grappling style that helped him rise through the heavyweight ranks, the Brazilian will look to quickly establish himself as one of ACA's top names.
