Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images

Jailton Almeida Says Alex Pereira’s Heavyweight Plans Won’t Block His Title Path

Originally posted on Dice City Sports | By Robert LaMar | Last updated Oct 23, 2025 11:29 AM ET

Jailton Almeida isn’t sweating the Alex Pereira-to-heavyweight chatter. Ahead of his pivotal showdown with Alexander Volkov at UFC 321 on Yas Island, the Brazilian contender said a potential Pereira move won’t derail his run to a title shot.

“The talk about him and Jon Jones is great… a fantastic superfight,” Almeida said at media day. “But the division’s been in turmoil. Let him do a superfight. If he eventually comes to heavyweight, fine, but I think he’s looking for something big like that not necessarily being part of the division.”

Jailton Almeida admits Alex Pereira has the "freedom to jump the line" in the heavyweight division:

"In theory, it would be me [next]. But we can’t forget what ‘Poatan’ has done. … I’m being realistic. He’s way ahead of me."

( @guicruzzz) pic.twitter.com/3NERIhxmWR

— MMA Fighting (@MMAFighting) October 21, 2025

Almeida (22-3, 8-1 UFC) meets Volkov (38-11, 12-5 UFC) on Saturday’s main card in what functions as a No. 1 contender bout behind the night’s headliner, where Tom Aspinall defends the heavyweight title against Ciryl Gane. With Jon Jones out and the belt recently unified, a statement win could slot the victor directly into the title picture.

Respect for Volkov—And a Scorecard Take

Volkov enters off a debated decision loss to Gane. Almeida didn’t hide his view of that fight:

“After watching, I really thought Volkov won,” he said. “But the judges are there to do their job… it is what it is.”

What’s at Stake

For Almeida: A dominant win cements his case as the next challenger, regardless of Pereira headlines.
For Volkov: Beating a surging finisher restores momentum and makes his claim impossible to ignore.
For the division: Whether Pereira chases a Jon Jones superfight or not, Saturday’s winner provides the clearest, cleanest contender for Aspinall–Gane fallout.

Almeida isn’t letting fantasy bookings dictate his reality. Handle Volkov, and the title conversation will have to go through him Pereira or no Pereira.

This article first appeared on Dice City Sports and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: