Jailton Almeida says to expect an even better version of himself for his UFC debut.
Almeida (14-2) makes his anticipated UFC debut this weekend after turning heads in his impressive Dana White’s Contender Series win. He dominated highly touted and undefeated fighter Nasrudin Nasrudinov on the show.
Almeida was supposed to make his debut in November however, the fight was rescheduled for this weekend. He faces fellow Brazilian Danilo Marques.
In an exclusive Q&A interview with Cageside Press, Almeida talks about his contract-winning performance, his match-up against Marques, and what he is planning for 2022.
- How does it feel to be a UFC fighter?
- It has been about four months since your fight with Nasrudin Nasrudinov, how do you feel about that performance?
It will be four months since my time on the Contender Series. Time goes so fast it feels like it was yesterday. I felt very prepared, it was very hard work in training the mental and physical part. Every worked out perfectly and it showed in my performance.
- You were supposed to have your UFC debut in November, what happened?
I was supposed to fight on November 14th. My opponent (Danilo Marques) said he had an injury in the elbow and had to have a surgery. I was sad but the the matchmaker of UFC (Mick Maynard) re-booked the fight for February. I’m ready.
- Did you know who Danilo Marques was before they offered him to you?
I knew him from the Brazilian events before the UFC, and during the UFC too. He had his debut on Fight Island because he replaced some fighter that couldn’t fight and he stepped in. I also saw his last fight that he lost to a Nigerian guy. I know every part of his game.
- How do you like the match-up?
This fight is gonna be very strategic because he is a jiu-jitsu guy, like myself, so whoever makes a mistake is gonna be caught. I liked the the match-up. he is a jiu-jitsu guy like me even though I have a lot of knockouts on my record. I’m a black belt in jiu-jitsu so let’s see what will happen on February 5th.
- How do you see the fight going and do you have a prediction?
I believe that is gonna be a very tough fight. Every fight in UFC is tough because it is the best promotion in the world with the best fighters. I did an excellent job here in Brazil, and I’m in the best shape of my life, so you can expect a new Jailton Malhadinho, with many surprises, more aggressive, and you guys can expect a huge ko or huge submission. I am winning the bonus.
- What do you want your 2022 to look like? How many fights?
