A potential title eliminator bout in the UFC’s heavyweight division has finally been booked after months of discussion.
Top contenders Alexander Volkov and Jailton Almeida are finally set to fight at UFC 321. The event takes place Oct. 26 at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi.
Two people with knowledge of the matchup recently informed MMA Junkie of the booking but asked to remain anonymous as the promotion has yet to make an official announcement. MMAFighting.com first reported the booking.
Both Volkov (38-11 MMA, 12- UFC) and Almeida (13-2 MMA, 10-2 UFC) recently expressed interest in fighting one another in interviews with MMA Junkie. Almeida claimed Volkov turned him down for a June clash in Atlanta – something Volkov didn’t deny. Volkov said his declination came because he wanted a break from competition after a controversial loss to Gane in December.
The defeat to Gane snapped a four-fight winning streak for Volkov, who could’ve aligned himself in prime position for a title shot had he won.
As for Almeida, he’s won back-to-back fights over Alexandr Romanov and Serghei Spivac since his TKO loss to Curtis Blaydes in March 2024. Almeida is 5-1 with four finishes since he moved to heavyweight in late 2022.
With the addition, the UFC 321 lineup includes:
- Alexander Volkov vs. Jailton Almeida
