Jailton Almeida, the Brazilian heavyweight who was close to a title opportunity before his October bout with Alexander Volkov at UFC 321, has been released from the UFC. This announcement came after Almeida endured two consecutive decision losses, the latest of which followed his defeat by Rizvan Kuniev at UFC Vegas 113 on Saturday night. With his departure confirmed, Almeida is now seeking opportunities outside the top MMA promotion.
Mixed Reactions Emerge from MMA Fans Following Almeida’s Departure
The news of Almeida’s release sparked polarized responses among fight fans. Many criticized his wrestling-focused fighting style, labeling his matches as difficult to watch, which fueled calls for Dana White to cut him after a second straight loss. Conversely, some fans expressed disappointment, seeing his removal as a poor decision for the heavyweight division.
This is the last thing the heavyweight division needed,
one fan remarked. Another added,
Well, thank f— for that.
Others took to social media to plead for Almeida to be given another chance at light heavyweight.
Ngl I kinda hate this decision, give him one more chance at LHW,
said one supporter. Additionally, some highlighted perceived inconsistencies in UFC rankings, with one user stating
And [Tai] Tuivasa is still ranked. UFC is a joke company,
reflecting frustration with the promotion’s roster management.
Among the more critical comments, fans referred to Almeida as boring, one calling him
One of the most terribly boring fighters of all time. This isn’t surprising,
while another said,
Lmao, loser did it to himself being such a snooze fest,
expressing satisfaction at his release.
UFC Also Cuts Three Additional Fighters Within 24 Hours
Almeida’s release came just a day after the UFC announced the departure of three other athletes. The bantamweight Javid Basharat’s cut surprised many, as he had recently convincingly defeated Gianni Vázquez, a late replacement who had missed weight, by unanimous decision at UFC Vegas 113.
Lucas Almeida was another Brazilian fighter removed from the roster. With a UFC record of two wins and four losses in six fights, his release was less unexpected. The most prominent among those cut was Alex Morono, an experienced fighter with 24 bouts in the Octagon. Morono was dropped following a one-sided decision loss to Nikolay Veretennikov, and Dana White declined his request for a farewell fight before retirement.
Implications of the Recent UFC Cuts on Fighters and Division Depth
These recent roster changes highlight the UFC’s stringent approach to performance and competitiveness, particularly in the heavyweight category where Almeida’s release sparked debate about the division’s health and future. Fans’ divided opinions underscore the challenges fighters face in balancing style and effectiveness while appealing to the audience. Almeida’s next steps remain uncertain, but his search for a new promotion will be closely followed by MMA followers who continue to discuss the quality and direction of UFC’s heavyweight ranks.
