Jailton Almeida is eager to fight Cyril Gane in a five-round heavyweight main event at UFC Paris on Sept. 28, believing it’s the most compelling match-up available and expressing frustration over the lack of response from Gane and the UFC.
Jailton Almeida has issued multiple callouts, hoping to book a five-round heavyweight clash with former UFC interim champion Cyril Gane. He wants this as the main event of UFC Paris on Sept. 28 and is getting impatient with the lack of response from “Bon Gamin”.
Almeida made short work of Alexandr Romanov at UFC 302 earlier this month. This victory came after bouncing back from his first octagon defeat to Curtis Blaydes.
He’s since been cleared to train with no restrictions following a minor knee injury suffered during the bout. “Malhadinho” feels he’s the only option that makes sense for Gane.
Every other top-ranked heavyweight is currently booked except for Alexander Volkov and Sergei Pavlovich, who fought in Saudi Arabia.
“The only options now are myself and Volkov, and he already beat Volkov in a very boring fight,” Almeida told MMA Fighting. “The game doesn’t match; it would be the exact same thing again.”
He added, “Both fighters doing a very tactical, slow-paced fight. Almeida vs. Gane would be way more interesting not only because it’s a new match-up but also because of the clash of different styles.”
“There’s no way this fight would go the distance,” Almeida continued. “If I can impose my game, I will take him down and submit him.”
“If he can impose his game, he will do everything he can to keep it on the feet and put on the show he’s used to.”
Almeida said he’s heard comments that neither Gane nor the UFC are interested in putting this fight together because it would be a bad match-up style-wise for the Frenchman.
But Almeida “strongly” disagrees. “First, Gane beat [Serghei] Spivac last year and his style is similar to mine,” Almeida said.
“He defended the takedowns and walked through him on the feet to get the knockout,” Almeida explained. “Also, I don’t see the UFC protecting anyone.”
“The UFC wants to make the best fights possible,” he added. “I was on a rise and they put me in Brazil against Blaydes, who was one of the worst match-ups for me.”
Gane has only lost twice in 14 professional MMA bouts: championship clashes with Jon Jones and Francis Ngannou.
“My manager has talked to the UFC about my interest in this fight,” Almeida said. He also mentioned personally talking to [UFC matchmaker] Mick [Maynard] about this fight.
“I’ve called out Gane on social media,” Almeida continued. “I’m just waiting for this fight to happen.”
It’s in UFC’s and Gane’s hands now—let’s wait.