After UFC Vegas 113 at the Meta Apex on Saturday night, UFC president Dana White faces mounting pressure regarding the future of a leading contender in the heavyweight division. The event featured Mario Bautista securing a submission victory over Vinicius Oliveira, but overall the card was considered underwhelming, with several fights failing to excite fans or critics.
Central to the conversation is Jailton Almeida, who suffered a disappointing defeat at this event and now confronts calls for his removal from the roster due to his perceived uninspiring fighting style.
Fan Backlash Grows Against Contender Jailton Almeida
Jailton Almeida, ranked #6 among heavyweights, entered UFC Vegas 113 seeking redemption after a narrow loss to Alexander Volkov in a title eliminator at UFC 321 last October. However, his attempt to rebound against Rizvan Kuniev, an unranked Russian opponent, ended in another decision loss, his second straight setback.
Despite Almeida’s expectations of continuing his UFC journey in 2026, many fans are demanding his release, criticizing his bouts as dull and lacking engagement. Social media comments reflect widespread frustration, with supporters urging Dana White to make a firm decision on Almeida’s status.
UFC needs to release Jailton Almeida,
one fan stated.
Don’t care what the f— he’s ranked cut Jailton ALMEIDA IMMEDIATELY!!!!!!
Jailton Almeida is the worst f—ing fighter I’ve ever watched. Cut him immediately,
another viewer complained.
UFC needs to cut Jailton Almeida, every fight is boring as f—,
appeared in another tweet.
Cut Jailton Almeida. This guy is dogs— at this sport,
one additional fan posted online.
Cut Jailton Almeida, guy doesn’t like to fight,
a sixth comment read.
Joe Rogan Shares Views on the Current State of Heavyweight MMA
Long-time commentator Joe Rogan has frequently described the UFC heavyweight division as “shallow,” a sentiment he reiterated recently by highlighting younger fighters such as Gable Steveson. Rogan suggested Steveson, despite his limited professional experience, could compete with the top 10 heavyweights currently in the UFC.
Taking a historical perspective, Rogan also referred to iconic heavyweights from previous eras, emphasizing their physicality and power compared to today’s fighters. On his podcast, he argued that despite some limitations, past fighters like Tank Abbott would still challenge many lower-ranked heavyweights today.
I think Tank Abbott would do really well, because the heavyweight division is the most shallow division,
Rogan remarked.
He continued, stating Abbott wouldn’t likely beat top fighters like Ciryl Gane or Tom Aspinall but stressed Abbott’s immense size, knockout power, and brawling style:
Tank Abbott would still f— a lot of people up in the lower ranks of the heavyweight division.
Implications for UFC’s Heavyweight Division Moving Forward
The rising demand for Dana White to cut Jailton Almeida highlights the growing impatience with fighters who fail to capture audience interest, even among ranked contenders. Almeida’s recent losses and the repetitive criticism of his fighting unease place him at a crossroads heading into the 2026 season.
Meanwhile, comments from influential voices like Joe Rogan underline ongoing concerns about the depth and quality of the heavyweight roster, potentially prompting the UFC to reconsider its talent pool. As Dana White weighs these factors, adjustments in the heavyweight lineup might follow to revitalize the division’s appeal and competitiveness.
