Jailton Almeida is the newest member of the ACA MMA heavyweight division, the Russia-based organization announced Saturday, a week after he was released by the UFC. Almeida has yet to book his promotional debut.
MMA Fighting has learned that despite the ACA’s announcement that Almeida will compete at heavyweight, the Brazilian remains open to moving up to 205 pounds in the future. He previously announced that he would return to light heavyweight after losing to Rizvan Kuniev at UFC Vegas 113 before exiting the promotion.
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According to multiple sources familiar with the matter, “Malhadinho” signed contracts with major global organizations before choosing to sign with ACA. Almeida spoke with PFL, RIZIN, KSW and Oktagon and ultimately agreed to participate in the Russian promotion.
It is worth noting that at the last moment before Almeida put pen to paper, a sixth offer appeared. The most valuable promotion offered Almeida a one-fight contract against former UFC heavyweight champion Junior dos Santos on a May 16 Netflix show hosted by Ronda Rousey and Gina Carano in California, but Almeida kept her word and signed a four-fight deal with ACA.
Almeida holds a 22-5 professional record after winning eight of 11 fights under the UFC banner, with seven of those wins coming against the likes of Serghei Spivac, Jairzinho Rozenstruik and Shamil Abdurakhimov. “Malhardinho” was fired after two consecutive decision losses to Alexander Volkov and Kunev.
