Jailton Almeida He wants it – and he wants it very much.
Less than a month away from your UFC 302 submission by Alexandr Romanov, Almeida (21-3 MMA, 7-1 UFC) received a full health authorization after the New Jersey Athletic Control Board (NJACB), which regulated the event, detected a potential knee injury.
Almeida doubled down on his call Ciryl Gane (12-2 MMA 9-2 UFC) in a statement released Thursday to MMA Junkie.
“There was news on the internet that I was injured,” Almeida said, using a translator. “That’s not true. After the fight, I felt discomfort in my knee because of old things I already had, but nothing out of the ordinary. I’m already 100% and training, including in São João. I even posted this weekend preparing physical and straining my knee. I have already sent the MRI scans and medical reports to the UFC and everything is fine.”
“…I’m looking forward to my next fight. I’ve been targeting Ciryl Gane in France, because France’s cards are always very good and today Gane is one of the highest ranked athletes in the category and with excellent morale within the UFC. I believe he would be a great fight.”
There are three months left until the UFC returns to Paris, with only one fight publicly known. Gane has remained relatively quiet in recent months. Interim UFC heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall claimed Gane turned down a title fight while working on a film role.
It is unclear whether Gane will be available for the date, but Almeida is doing everything he can to attract him. Almeida only sees one other viable option, Alexander Volkov, who he doesn’t think makes sense.
“I don’t see many possibilities for Gane to fight in France,” said Almeida. “Simply all the names already have fights scheduled, as I put in a post on Twitter. Now the only option is me and Volkov. As he already beat Volkov in a super boring fight, the (fight) doesn’t suit. It would be the same thing. The two having an extremely tactical fight, without much activity”
“I believe that Almeida x Gane is much more interesting, not only because it is a new fight, but also because it is a duel of styles. There’s no way this fight will go to the end if I manage to impose my game. I’m going to drop and submit, and if he manages to impose his game, he’ll be able to keep the fight standing and put on the show he’s used to.”
Almeida said he has already set up the fight for the UFC, as have his managers, Leonardo Pateira and Tiago Okamura, from On The Road Management. What happens from here is out of their control, but they will do their best to continue the campaign.
“My manager has already spoken to the UFC about my interest in this fight,” said Gane. “I’ve already spoken to Mick (Maynard) about my interest in this fight. I have already challenged Gane on social media. Now, I’m just waiting for that to happen. It’s in the hands of the UFC and Gane, let’s wait. I want to stay active because a fighter’s life is short and I believe this fight can be a title eliminator and put me in the fight for the belt.”
Almeida, 33, is unblemished in the UFC aside from his TKO loss to Curtis Blaydes in March.
Gane, 34, is 2-1 since his title loss against Francis Ngannou in January 2022. He most recently competed in September when he submitted Serghei Spivac with a strike in the second round.
