ARTICLE AD BOX
After Tom Aspinall officially became the real champion in the heavyweight division of the UFC, the situation in that division finally started from a standstill. Dana White confirmed that Jon Jones is retiring, which means the end of the two-hour confusion with even two champions in the same category. Now the throne is free, and all eyes are on Aspinall. However, another fighter has already spoken out and made it clear that he is next for the belt.
It is about the Brazilian fighter Jailton Almeida, known by the nickname "Malhadinho". He was the first to seriously announce his intentions through social networks and interviews, not hiding his desire to face the current champion as soon as possible. Almeida made it clear that he is not afraid of a challenge.
- It will be a good fight because we have a similar style. Aspinall is fast and is not a champion by chance - Almeida told MMA Fighting. - What I noticed is that he never did five rounds. He gets tired after the second one. No one has ever tested him in the later rounds. I'm already sparring six to seven rounds, even when I'm not in top form.
Key to victory
He believes the key to victory will be to test Aspinall's endurance and to time his own rhythm wisely.
- If I get the chance, I'll take him to the third round to see how he breathes. But don't get me wrong, Tom is not inexperienced. He's a veteran and has faced tough opponents. I'll have to be smart and come up with good tactics. When the cage door closes, it's war for me. And I'm ready for war.
Almeida was desperate for a chance to fight for the title - so much so that he even publicly challenged Magomed Ankalaev, the UFC light heavyweight champion, just to show how important the belt is to him. However, his real target remains Tom Aspinall, and he wants to do it soon.
With Jon Jones gone, the fight for the throne is just beginning, and Jailton Almeida claims he's the first to throw down the gauntlet and launch a new challenge. What that fight will look like remains to be seen.
English (US) ·