Valter Walker predicts trouble for Jailton Almeida at ACA debut

Released by the UFC in February after four years competing in the promotion, Jailton Almeida will make his debut at Absolute Championship Akhmat on Saturday. The Brazilian will take on Evgeniy Goncharov in the ACA 207 main event in Krasnodar, Russia, looking to bounce back after suffering back-to-back losses in his last two appearances. Valter Walker, who is Goncharov's training partner at GOR MMA, expects "Malhadinho" to face a big challenge when he meets the former ACA heavyweight champion.

Valter Walker Praises Evgeniy Goncharov's Grappling Defense

Currently riding an eight-fight winning streak, Goncharov is the former ACA heavyweight champion and was forced to vacate the belt in 2025 due to an injury. Known as a well-rounded fighter who combines high-level grappling defense with heavy-handed boxing, the Russian fighter still likes to pressure his opponents despite being 40 years old.

The person who knows this better than most is Walker. The Brazilian heavyweight, who trains with Goncharov at GOR MMA, is well aware of the Russian's elite skills. That is why he expects Almeida to have difficulties imposing his game when he faces Goncharov.

"I think so (they set a trap for Almeida)," Walker told Laerte Viana na Área. "Either Malhadinho is much better than me, or I'm f*cking terrible! I shoot for a takedown against this guy and it feels like I'm running into a concrete wall. Yesterday, we were doing MMA sparring. I shot at the perfect time. I grabbed his legs and said, 'I got him down.' I don't even know how, but he defended it and threw me sideways into the wall. He doesn't have a neck, so neck submissions are very difficult to get on him."

Valter Walker Doubts Jailton Almeida can Take Evgeniy Goncharov Down

On the other hand, Almeida often relies on his elite grappling style, built around relentless pressure, explosive takedowns, and suffocating top control, to defeat his opponents. However, given Goncharov's high-level defensive wrestling, Walker is not sure whether Malhadinho will be able to take the Russian down. In fact, the Brazilian heavyweight expects Almeida to be "traumatized" by Goncharov.

"I don't believe Malhadinho is going to be able to take Geka (Goncharov) down, honestly, I don't," Walker said. "Not in the striking either… Malhadinho is going to shoot, Geka is going to defend. Malhadinho is going to shoot, Geka is going to defend the takedown. Malhadinho is going to get frustrated. If it's boxing, the Russian has a nasty overhand. If you throw a jab, you're going to eat an overhand from the Russian and go down drooling. I think the Russian is going to traumatize Malhadinho, and he'll never want to fight in Russia again."

Almeida enters the fight after suffering consecutive losses in his final two UFC appearances. The Brazilian will now look to begin a new chapter in his career against Goncharov as he makes his ACA debut.