Jailton Almeida can’t assist however consider the what-ifs now that the UFC heavyweight title image is taking type for the second half of 2024.
Almeida (19-3 MMA, 6-1 UFC) returns to the octagon UFC 302 on June 1 when he takes on Alexandr Romanov (17-2 MMA, 6-2 UFC) in a most important card bout at Prudential Heart in Newark, N.J. (pay-per-view, ESPN2, ESPN+). The Brazilian will try to get again on monitor following his first octagon defeat, which got here in opposition to Curtis Blaydes at UFC 299 in March.
With heavyweight champion Jon Jones recovering from harm and anticipated to return vs. Stipe Miocic on Nov. 9 in New York, interim champion Tom Aspinall has been booked to defend in opposition to Blaydes at UFC 304 on June 27 in Manchester, England.
That will’ve probably been Almeida’s spot had he beat Blaydes, and he admits it makes the outcome all of the extra painful.
“I felt a bit stunned and unhappy,” Almeida informed MMA Junkie by means of an interpreter. “I positively felt this was my nice alternative to battle in opposition to Aspinall. Sadly, it didn’t occur. It left me with a nasty style in my mouth. As soon as I discovered it wasn’t going to be in opposition to me, I knew I missed my likelihood. However I additionally know God’s timing is ideal, and I’ll have my likelihood sooner or later.”
Almeida’s disappointment is comprehensible. After beginning his UFC tenure with seven straight wins and 6 finishes, he received an enormous alternative in opposition to a perennial contender in Blaydes. Almeida, 32, got here out on fireplace, touchdown 9 takedowns and controlling Blaydes for all however 21 seconds of the five-minute opening spherical, per UFC Stats.
Blaydes discovered a solution within the second spherical, although, as a result of he stuffed Almeida’s first takedown try after which landed a slew of hammerfists for the knockout.
It was an essential lesson for Almeida, he stated, however one he thinks he’s now totally discovered. That’s why, in his thoughts, what occurred with Blaydes isn’t a real defeat.
“I don’t actually contemplate it a loss, regardless that it’s a loss on paper,” Almeida stated. “That’s what I feel. I do imagine I wanted a greater technique. I felt I had a very good battle. I used to be capable of get in large hits, however I do imagine my technique on the whole needed to change. A real champion must lose to have the ability to adapt and get higher. I’m solely taking this loss to have the ability to enhance.
“I feel I did a extremely good battle. I hit him lots with loads of lefts. The start of the battle was just about good, however proper on the finish, I felt like I used to be a bit extra precipitated. I ought to’ve been extra cautious. I used to be overexcited in regards to the momentum. I felt I ought to’ve been extra affected person. I simply went all-in, and I ought to waited extra.”
Almeida, No. 10 within the newest USA TODAY Sports activities/MMA Junkie heavyweight rankings, can have the prospect to point out his enhancements in opposition to No. 14-ranked Romanov at UFC 304. Romanov has landed a minimum of one takedown in opposition to six of his seven UFC opponents thus far, and might be a menace to Almeida’s grappling.
The main target going into battle evening isn’t a lot on the opponent, although. Almeida is set to beat his setback and get by means of Romanov to place himself again on monitor to get marquee alternatives within the division.
“After the loss I really feel sturdy, I really feel completely happy, I really feel assured,” Almeida stated. “I’ve actually taken the time to know my faults. So I really feel stronger than ever. Particularly after the Curtis vs. Aspinall battle was introduced, that is serving as an additional motivation for me as a result of I need to battle Aspinall sooner or later, and I additionally want to come again and battle with Curtis as soon as once more. I’m in search of revenge, and I do know step one is to have a victory on June 1.”
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