Jailton Almeida reflects on UFC exit. Brazilian heavyweight Jailton “Malhadinho” Almeida has spoken publicly for the first time after being released from the UFC roster following two straight losses.
Almeida shared a heartfelt message to fans, reflecting on his time in the promotion and looking ahead to the next chapter of his fighting career. Almeida’s release came after a string of uneven performances, most recently a unanimous decision loss to Rizvan Kuniev at UFC Fight Night 266 in early February 2026. That defeat followed a split decision loss to Alexander Volkov in October 2025, bringing consecutive losses that ultimately led to the UFC parting ways with him.
Despite the tough end to his UFC run, Almeida was quick to express gratitude for his time with the organization. In a video statement posted on social media, he thanked his supporters, UFC staff, and teammates for their support throughout his eleven fights with the company during which he earned eight wins and four Performance of the Night bonuses.
”Guys, I’m here to thank all of you who cheer for me, who celebrate with me, and who followed my journey in the UFC,” Almeida said in Portuguese. “I had 11 fights, 4 ‘Performance of the Night’ [bonuses], and I feel very fulfilled to be part of this organization. Thanks to the entire UFC staff, everyone who helped me and gave that support. Everyone was polite and treated me very well.” “It’s not these two losses that will define who I am,” Almeida said of the losses to Volkov and Kuniev. “I’m a dedicated, focused, determined guy. Humble, as I’ve always been.”
His manager, Leonardo Pateira, also revealed that multiple MMA promotions have already shown interest in signing Almeida, and that his next fight could be announced soon. Almeida hinted that he’s eager to continue pursuing his goals in combat sports and plans to return to competition in the near future.
At 34 years old, Almeida has a professional MMA record of 22-5, with the bulk of his successes coming early in his UFC tenure, including several first-round finishes and standout grappling performances. Though his UFC run ended without title gold, he still leaves behind memorable moments and a large fanbase who are curious to see where he lands next.
In the end, this may be a setback for Jailton Almeida, but it’s not the end of his journey. He made it clear that two losses won’t define his career, and he’s determined to keep moving forward. Wherever he fights next, he’ll be looking to prove that he still belongs among the top heavyweights.
