Although Jailton Almeida dominated Derrick Lewis for long periods of time in their UFC Sao Paulo fight, he only received a single 10-8 score, highlighting his disappointment in not being able to finish Lewis and the lack of action for fans.
In his UFC Sao Paulo victory, Jailton Almeida managed to control Derrick Lewis for extended periods but was only able to secure one 10-8 score. Despite appearing to be in a prime position to finish the fight, Lewis managed to survive until the final bell, impressing Almeida with his resilience. While the fight didn’t end in a knockout, Almeida expressed satisfaction with his own performance and stated his readiness to take on any opponent.
However, Almeida’s colleagues were not as pleased with his showing, criticizing the lack of action over the course of the 25-minute fight. The main event did not receive any post-fight bonuses, and online feedback from fans highlighted the lackluster nature of the bout.
Almeida had every intention of finishing Lewis, who is known as the UFC knockout king and represented the biggest challenge of his octagon career. However, it proved to be a difficult task in practice. Despite attempting to control Lewis through grappling, the Brazilian phenom acknowledged Lewis’ strength and his own disadvantages in terms of arm size.
Despite the challenges, Almeida was able to take Lewis down multiple times throughout the fight, showcasing his surprising strength. He expressed surprise and happiness with his ability to overpower the larger opponent. However, whether the UFC brass shares his enthusiasm is uncertain. The interim title fight between Tom Aspinall and Sergei Pavlovich was booked for UFC 295 after champion Jon Jones sustained an injury while preparing to face Stipe Miocic. Almeida is open to serving as a backup in the event that either challenger is unable to compete, given the last-minute cancellations experienced at UFC Sao Paulo. He even expressed his desire to attend the fight in New York, requesting tickets for himself and his wife.
In conclusion, Almeida’s victory over Lewis in UFC Sao Paulo may not have resulted in a knockout, but he was satisfied with his performance and prepared for future challenges. While some criticized the lack of action in the fight, Almeida highlighted his ability to control Lewis and cause him to repeatedly hit the canvas. He remains open to the possibility of being a backup fighter in the upcoming UFC 295 event and hopes to attend as a spectator.