There is plenty of opportunity for an ambitious, fast-rising fighter in the UFC's heavyweight division. Champion Jon Jones, who recently was forced to withdraw from his Nov. 11 title defense against ex-champion Stipe Miocic because he needed surgery to repair a torn pectoral muscle, isn't expected to fight all that much longer.
CHARLOTTE, NC - MAY 13: Jailton Almeida celebrates his win over Jairzinho Rozenstruik via submission at UFC Fight Night: Rozenstruik vs Almeida on May 13th, 2023 at Spectrum Center in Charlotte, NC. forced to withdraw from his Nov. 11 title defense against ex-champion Stipe Miocic
There was a chuckle, since it sounded like a joke. Yes, Almeida is a highly regarded and dangerous fighter, and under different circumstances, it wouldn't be a stretch for him to serve as the backup for Tom Aspinall and Sergei Pavlovich at UFC 295 on Nov. 11. Those two stepped in when the Jones-Miocic fight was postponed and will fight in the co-main event for the interim heavyweight title.
"If I get out of this fight with no injuries and do what I plan to do, why not?" Almeida said about being the backup for Pavlovich and Aspinall. Almeida has won 14 in a row over the last five-plus years and is coming off an impressive finish of Jairzinho Rozenstruik in May.
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