Jailton Almeida: Fighting Is in my Blood

One of the standouts from the 2021 season of Dana White's Contender Series, Jailton Almeida is set to make his Ultimate Fighting Championship debut at UFC Fight Night 200 on Saturday. As he prepares to face off against 6-foot-6 Kings MMA disciple Danilo Marques, the 14-2 “Malhadinho” spoke to Sherdog about making a big impression on the UFC boss, about lessons learned from his two early career losses, and the hustle required of prospects on their way to the major leagues of MMA.

Full name?
Jailton Jesus Almeida Junior.

How did you get your nickname, Malhadinho?
My father’s nickname was “malhado” (buff guy in Brazilian Portuguese). My older brother and I inherited the nickname “malhadinho” (little buff guy).

Date of birth?
June 28, 1991. I’m 30 years old.

Where were you born?
I was born in Salvador, state of Bahia, Brazil. I hail from the Brotas neighborhood.

Height?
1.93 m [6 feet, 4 inches].

Weight on your next bout?
93 kg [205 pounds].

What gym do you belong to?
I belong to LG System, as well as Galpao da Luta.

How’d you get into martial arts?
I’ve been in fighting since I was born. It’s in my blood. My father and uncle are former pugilists. My father was the Brazilian vice-champion. My uncle was the Brazilian amateur champion. I started boxing from the cradle with my father. At age 11, I started jiu-jitsu. Over the years, I’ve been making my name in jiu-jitsu. Then, in 2012, I switched to MMA.

Your pro record is 14-2. Can you talk about the lessons learned from your few losses?
I had my only two professional losses in 2017 and 2018. I don’t see them as losses, as much as learning experiences. The most important one was the first loss, in 2017, when I was knocked out in 16 seconds. It opened up my mind. It helped me refocus on my dreams. The loss in 2018 [by decision] wasn't as shocking. Later, I went on a win streak and beat a couple of UFC veterans – Ednaldo Oliveira and Ildemar Alcantara. My new dedication to the sport after those losses was proven by those victories.

How was it, beating a previously-undefeated Nasrudin Nasrudinov at Dana White’s Contender Series, and earning a spot in the UFC?
It was a great experience. Winning, in itself, is great. But shocking Dana White by beating Nasrudinov at his own game made it even better. Since Contender Series feeds fighters directly to the UFC, it helps to go in there with a good mindset. If you’re not mentally ready, it can be a bad experience. If you fail, you go back to square one, to try to fight your way back to the Contender Series.

Have you always had support in your chosen career?
Thankfully, I’m very blessed. Everyone at Contender Series could see I’m a positive and happy person. I’m also a simple, humble person. Humility always comes first. Since the start of my career, I’ve been glad to have the full support of my friends and family. I had a few friends who provided me with some sponsorships. And I’ve always worked on the side. I’ve been a security guard and a car washer. I’ve always been a hard worker, and I have no problem running after my goals.

What can you say about your next opponent, Danilo Marques?
Fans in Brazil don’t enjoy seeing two Brazilians face each other in UFC. But it’s our job. That’s what the UFC offered us. Danilo is very experienced. He trains with Demian Maia. He trains with “Shogun” Mauricio Rua as well as coach Rafael Cordeiro at Kings MMA. I really admire and respect them. I respect Danilo – same as all my opponents. Even though he’s coming off a loss, he’s a dangerous guy, especially if he takes your back. I do see some holes in his game. He seems to flinch when striking. My training has been done with his shortcomings in mind.

Can you talk about your training camp?
I trained at the Galpao da Luta academy. I train boxing with my uncle as well as coach Allan “Popeye.” I worked with several boxers. My MMA training partners include Andre Miranda and Carlos Felipe, as well as some strong heavyweights. I’ve been working hard on my striking, never neglecting my grappling, which I’ve adapted to Danilo’s game.

What are your plans for the future?
The future belongs to God. But I keep my faith. My first goal is to get ranked. And who knows – to be champion one day. I’m open to fights at both light-heavyweight and heavyweight. I can see myself competing against Glover Teixeira. I train hard to get to the top.

Anything else you’d like to share?
I’m not the only talent coming from my academy. Also keep an eye on Darlan Ferreira, a.k.a. “Draco.” He’s highly talented. He just won six fights in a row via knockout. He’s a super tough featherweight. Watch out for him.