Jailton Almeida

Jailton Almeida, nicknamed "Malhadinho," is a Brazilian mixed martial artist who competes in the heavyweight division of the UFC.

Born and raised in Salvador, Bahia, Almeida grew up in a household shaped by combat sports; his father was a boxer known as "Malhado," the source of Jailton's own nickname. He began boxing as a child before taking up Brazilian jiu-jitsu around age eleven, eventually shifting his focus fully to mixed martial arts as his training partners moved into the sport. Before establishing himself in the UFC, Almeida worked as a security guard while grinding through Brazil's regional MMA circuit, where he captured titles with organizations including Thunder Fight and Fight On. His performance on Dana White's Contender Series earned him a UFC contract.

Almeida holds a black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu, and that grappling foundation defines his approach inside the cage. He is widely regarded as one of the most dangerous ground fighters in the heavyweight division, combining relentless takedowns, heavy top pressure, and slick submission chaining that is rare for a fighter of his size. Much of his offense comes from wearing opponents down on the mat and hunting for chokes and joint locks once the fight hits the floor, a skill set that has produced highlight-reel finishes against larger, heavier opposition.

Since arriving in the UFC, Almeida has built his reputation with dominant performances, including submission victories over Jairzinho Rozenstruik and Alexander Romanov, as well as a lopsided grappling clinic in a decision win over former title challenger Derrick Lewis