In a stunning turn of events, UFC heavyweight Jailton Almeida isn’t just brushing off a recent controversy—he’s calling it out. But here’s where it gets controversial: it’s not his latest opponent that’s got him fired up, but a UFC commentator’s behind-the-scenes remarks that left him feeling disrespected. After his second loss to Alexander Volkov at UFC 321, Almeida is stepping back into the Octagon this Saturday at UFC Vegas 113 (UFC Fight Night 266) to face the formidable Rizvan Kuniev. But this fight isn’t just about bouncing back—it’s about proving a point.
In a candid interview with Ag. Fight, Almeida revealed why he accepted the short-notice bout with the unranked Kuniev. ‘I’m always ready,’ he explained. ‘Even when I’m not fighting, I’m training and supporting my team. When the UFC offered this fight three weeks ago, along with a contract renewal, my manager and I decided it was the right move.’ Almeida sees this matchup as a stylistic departure from his previous losses to wrestler Curtis Blaydes and striker Volkov, and he’s eager to showcase his skills against Kuniev, a fighter he describes as ‘dangerous’ and overlooked. ‘Nobody wanted to fight him,’ Almeida noted. ‘People thought he beat Blaydes, but I’m here to play my game and get back on the path to the title.’
And this is the part most people miss: Almeida’s recent loss to Volkov wasn’t just a defeat—it was a lesson in self-awareness. ‘I controlled the fight from the top, but I lacked aggression,’ he admitted. ‘I was trained for it, but my confidence wasn’t there. That was the only detail missing.’ For Almeida, there’s no such thing as defeat—only learning. But it’s his off-the-mat battle with UFC commentator Daniel Cormier that’s raising eyebrows.
Almeida, the highest-ranked Brazilian in the heavyweight division with a 22-4 record (21 stoppages), didn’t hold back when discussing Cormier’s critical comments, which he learned about from Tom Aspinall backstage at UFC Abu Dhabi. ‘Cormier is an exceptional guy, and I’ve always respected him,’ Almeida said. ‘But what he did was unprofessional. Whispering about another athlete? Even as a UFC employee, that’s disrespectful. I’ve always treated him like an icon, so to hear that was disappointing.’
Here’s the bold truth: Almeida isn’t just hurt—he’s calling out what he sees as a double standard. ‘Cormier apologized, but it doesn’t change what happened,’ he said. ‘I’m a man of my word. If I have something to say, I say it to your face. My father taught me that. A real man doesn’t have two faces.’ This isn’t just a personal gripe—it’s a challenge to the integrity of those in the sport. ‘If Cormier wants to talk, I’m here,’ Almeida added. ‘But if not, that’s on him.’
As Almeida prepares to face Kuniev, the stakes are higher than ever. This fight isn’t just about his record—it’s about his reputation, his values, and his place in the UFC. But here’s the question: Is Almeida’s criticism of Cormier justified, or is he overreacting? And what does this say about the dynamics between fighters and commentators in the UFC? Let us know your thoughts in the comments—this is one debate you won’t want to miss.
