Jailton Almeida started his UFC career as a light heavyweight, but always planned to cut weight and become a full-time heavyweight. The result was a 5-1 run in the Octagon with five dominant wins.
Jon Jones did the same, cementing his name as the best 205-pounder in UFC history before moving up to heavyweight. Now, Alex Pereira is looking to move up the weight class by inviting Jones to a historic fight at the White House on June 14, 2026.
“It’s a tough fight,” Almeida told MMA Fighting about a potential Jones vs. Pereira fight. “I’m Brazilian. I’m a big fan of Jon Jones. Everyone knows that. It’s going to be 50-50. … ‘Poitan’ is very tough, right? You saw his last fight. He said that the first time (against Magomed Ankalaev) he wasn’t ready, but the second time was different. Devastating, right? He deserves recognition in Brazil.”
Jones fought twice at heavyweight, submitting Cyril Gane at a weigh-in of 248 pounds the previous morning. Roughly 20 months later, Jones showed up 10 pounds lighter to walk Stipe Miocic.
“Jon Jones moved up in weight and the fight (against Gaine) was a little heavier,” Almeida said. “He was slow, but very experienced and a maestro of martial arts. You’ll see him go about 238 pounds lighter for his next fight (against Miocic).”
Almeida returns to action in Abu Dhabi on Saturday when he faces Alexander Volkov vs. Cyril Gane on the undercard card of Tom Aspinall’s title defense. ‘Maljazinho’ hopes to become the No. 1 contender to win the UFC 321 main event with a win, but he wouldn’t be surprised if Pereira jumps over that line.
“Theoretically, if you defeat Volkov and believe in God, you can win. I’m next,” Almeida said. “In theory, that would be me, but we can’t forget what ‘Poitin’ did for us. He obviously has the freedom to jump the line. He’s the current champion of his division, a guy who makes a lot of sales and has saved the UFC many times.”
“I’m realistic. He’s way above me. We’ll see what the UFC can offer. Maybe they’ll put Jon Jones against him and me against Tom Aspinall at the White House (card), and (the winner) will play next. In theory, I would be (next). But if the UFC chooses him before me, he deserves to jump the line in front of me.”