Jailton Almeida Calls Out Tom Aspinall for UFC Heavyweight Title Fight originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
The UFC heavyweight division is finally showing signs of life. With Jon Jones reportedly stepping away from the sport, a long-stalled weight class is beginning to churn forward. Title hopefuls are lining up—and many are drooling at the chance to seize the throne. The belt is active, the king is crowned, and the contenders smell blood. One Brazilian wrecking ball isn’t waiting around for a phone call.
That man is Jailton Almeida. The 33-year-old Brazilian from Salvador has quietly become one of the most avoided problems in the UFC—just ask anyone who’s had to peel him off their back. After Tom Aspinall was formally recognized as the undisputed champion, Almeida fired off a raw and direct challenge on social media:
Congrats champ. You deserve that.
Now, let’s make the only fight who make sense! Aspinall vs Almeida for undisputed HW title of the world.
Gane ducks you and me before, already fought for the belt and lost 2-times, and his last win was a robbery.
No fluff. No filters. Just pressure.
Congrats champ. You deserve that
Now, lets make the only fight who make sense! Aspinall vs Almeida for undisputed HW title of the world
Gane ducks you and me before, already fought for the belt and lost 2-times, and his last win was a robbery@AspinallMMA@danawhite@Mickmaynard2pic.twitter.com/RiTrNu4CCj— Jailton Almeida “Malhadinho” (@Malhadinho_UFC) June 21, 2025
Almeida is 9-1 in the UFC and currently riding a two-fight win streak. His most recent outing ended with Sergei Spivac flat on the canvas in Round 1 at UFC 311. His only loss came against Curtis Blaydes, but it hasn’t slowed the narrative that he’s a stylistic nightmare.
Almeida has finished eight of his nine UFC wins—most of them by submission or ground-and-pound. His ability to drag elite fighters into his world and end fights without absorbing much damage has become his calling card—and part of why many believe top contenders are hesitant to take the risk.
Now, with the Jon Jones era all but closed, Almeida wants in. He’s not asking. He’s demanding. The question is whether Dana White and company are ready to let the grappling juggernaut off the leash. The window is open, and the call has been made. Now it’s on the UFC to answer.
Related: Tom Aspinall Has the Heavyweight Crown—Three Challengers Eye His First Defense
Related: UFC Signs Former PFL Heavyweight Champion in Strategic Roster Move
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 22, 2025, where it first appeared.
