Jailton Jesus Almeida Júnior is a Brazilian mixed martial artist, known professionally as Jailton Almeida. He currently competes in the Heavyweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) and is ranked #6 in the UFC heavyweight rankings as of August 13, 2024.
You can follow Jailton Almeida’s biography, personal details, career overview, girlfriend, net worth, fight purses, earnings, endorsements, stats, records, and more here.
Jailton Almeida’s Biography
| Detail | Information |
| Full Name | Jailton Jesus Almeida Júnior |
| Nickname | Malhadinho |
| Date of Birth | June 28, 1991 |
| Age | 33 |
| Birthplace | Salvador, Bahia, Brazil |
| Nationality | Brazilian |
| Height | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) |
| Weight | 241 lb (109 kg) |
| Weight Class | Heavyweight |
| Stance | Orthodox |
| Reach | 79″ |
| Status | Active |
| Current Ranking | #6 in UFC heavyweight rankings (as of August 2024) |
| Team | LG System |
| Fighting Style | Mixed Martial Arts, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu |
| BJJ Rank | Black Belt |
| Profession | Professional Mixed Martial Artist |
| Net Worth | $2 million |
| Relationship Status | In a relationship |
| Partner | Dandara Rodriguez |
| Siblings | 11 (one of 12 siblings) |
| Parents | Divorced |
| Education | – |
| Early Aspiration | Professional soccer player |
| MMA Debut | September 29, 2012 |
| UFC Debut | February 5, 2022 |
Jailton Almeida was born on June 28, 1991, in the Brotas neighborhood of Salvador, Brazil. He grew up in a large family with 11 siblings. Almeida’s parents divorced when he was young.
Initially, Almeida dreamed of becoming a football player. However, financial constraints prevented him from pursuing this path. Following in his father’s footsteps, he turned to combat sports. Almeida began training in boxing at 6 and started Brazilian jiu-jitsu at 11.
Professional Career
Jailton Almeida’s professional mixed martial arts career began in 2012 when he made his debut against Diego Reis, securing a victory via submission.
In 2021, Almeida’s career took a significant turn when he appeared in Dana White’s Contender Series. His second-round submission victory over Nasrudin Nasrudinov earned him a UFC contract.
Since joining the UFC in 2022, Almeida has quickly risen through the ranks of the heavyweight division. He made an immediate impact in his promotional debut, defeating Danilo Marques via TKO in the first round.
Almeida’s UFC journey has been nothing short of remarkable, with notable wins over established fighters like Parker Porter, Shamil Abdurakhimov, and Jairzinho Rozenstruik.
His victory over Rozenstruik, in particular, was a standout performance that earned him a Performance of the Night bonus. Almeida’s most recent high-profile win came against former title challenger Derrick Lewis in November 2023.
Relationship Status
Jailton Almeida is in a relationship with Dandara Rodrigues. The couple has reportedly been together for a long time.
Jailton Almeida’s Net Worth Details
Jailton Almeida’s net worth is estimated to be $2 million as of 2025. This figure is based on his UFC fight purses, performance bonuses, and potential endorsement deals.
Fight Purses
| Event | Opponent | Purse |
|---|---|---|
| UFC Fight Night 231 | Derrick Lewis | $160,000 (including $50,000 win bonus) |
| UFC on ABC 4 | Jairzinho Rozenstruik | $140,000 (including $70,000 Performance of the Night bonus) |
| UFC 283 | Shamil Abdurakhimov | $124,000 (including $50,000 Performance of the Night bonus) |
Career Earnings
Almeida’s career earnings have seen a significant increase since joining the UFC. His fight purses have ranged from $24,000 for his UFC debut to $160,000 for his fight against Derrick Lewis.
He has also earned multiple Performance of the Night bonuses, each worth $50,000.
Endorsements
Jailton Almeida endorses the following brands:
- Credcesta VISA
- SB Saude
- Fonte D’Vida
- Body Fusion
- Stake
- Full Violence
- Medvida Brasil
Fight Records
| Statistic | Record |
| Total Fights | 23 |
| Wins | 20 |
| Losses | 3 |
| Wins by KO/TKO | 7 |
| Wins by Submission | 10 |
| Wins by Decision | 3 |
Achievements
- UFC Performance of the Night (3 times)
- Dana White’s Contender Series contract winner
- Thunder Fight Light Heavyweight Champion
- Ranked #6 in the UFC Heavyweight division (as of August 2024)
FAQs
1. Who is Jailton Almeida?
Jailton Almeida, nicknamed “Malhadinho,” is a Brazilian professional mixed martial artist competing in the UFC heavyweight division. Born on June 28, 1991, in Salvador, Bahia, Brazil, he is known for his Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu expertise and versatile fighting style.
2. What is Jailton Almeida’s MMA record?
As of January 2025, Jailton Almeida holds a professional MMA record of 22 wins and 3 losses. He has achieved victories through 7 knockouts, 13 submissions, and 14 first-round finishes.
3. What is Jailton Almeida’s UFC ranking?
Jailton Almeida is currently ranked #6 in the UFC heavyweight division.
4. What is Jailton Almeida’s fighting style?
Jailton Almeida combines Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Muay Thai in his fighting style. He is particularly skilled in grappling and submissions but has also improved his striking abilities over time.
5. Why is Jailton Almeida called “Malhadinho”?
Almeida’s nickname “Malhadinho,” meaning “little Malhado,” was given by his coach as a tribute to his father, who was a boxer nicknamed “Malhado.” It reflects his family’s boxing roots.
