Finishes don’t just happy by accident when Jailton Almeida fights. The UFC heavyweight standout is always looking for them.
The proof is in the fact that Almeida (18-2 MMA, 4-0 UFC) has scored a finish in all 18 of his career wins. That includes his Dana White’s Contender Series appearance last year that earned him a UFC contract, as well as his first four promotional fights all within a year.
Almeida’s rampage has led to a No. 12 ranking by the UFC and his first main event, which takes place Saturday at UFC on ABC 4. Almeida will meet No. 9 Jairzinho Rozenstruik (13-4 MMA, 7-4 UFC) at Spectrum Center in Charlotte, N.C., with a huge opportunity to make a statement before a national TV audience.
If Almeida is feeling any pressure to live up to his reputation as a finisher, he didn’t show it during Wednesday’s media day.
“I don’t think there’s any pressure,” Almeida told reporters through an interpreter. “I’m always ready for the full length of the fight. For this one, I’ve trained everything for five rounds. I guess the style is just more effective than most.
“We are very finish oriented, so that’s what we’re always looking for. Doesn’t matter if it’s the first round, the fifth round, whenever I get a chance to do it. No added pressure, something that I just go with the flow.”
Given the 31-year-old’s rapid rise up the heavyweight division, Almeida feels grateful for this moment more than anything.
“Honestly, things have been going pretty quickly,” Almeida said. “I have like a year and change in the organization. To not only be in a main event but being ranked and everything that’s happened since I got in, I really appreciate the organization for giving me the opportunity.”
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC on ABC 4.