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. What is Jailton Almeida’s UFC weight class and current ranking?
Almeida competes in the UFC heavyweight division and is ranked No. 5 after a string of top-level wins and consistent performances in the octagon.
2. What is Almeida’s professional MMA record and finishing rate?
He holds a record of 22 wins and 4 losses, with 21 of his victories coming by stoppage—13 by submission and 8 by knockout—with a finish rate exceeding 95%.
3. What are Almeida’s most notable recent UFC victories?
He scored significant wins over Derrick Lewis (unanimous decision), Jairzinho Rozenstruik (submission), Alexander Romanov (submission), and Serghei Spivac (TKO), highlighting his dominance against ranked heavyweights.
4. What is Almeida’s fighting style and main strengths in the cage?
He is recognized for elite Brazilian jiu-jitsu, relentless takedowns, and ground control. Almeida uses rear-naked chokes, armbars, and triangle chokes, often advancing quickly to submission opportunities.
5. Which high-profile fights has Almeida recently contested?
Almeida lost a split decision to Alexander Volkov at UFC 321 but outwrestled Derrick Lewis for five rounds, dominated Serghei Spivac with ground-and-pound, and finished Romanov with a rear-naked choke.
6. How did Almeida’s career begin and what is his athletic background?
He was born in Salvador, Brazil, and started training boxing at age six and Brazilian jiu-jitsu at 11. Almeida entered MMA after joining his father and older brother in combat sports.
7. What is Almeida’s peak in UFC statistics and recognition?
He leads the UFC’s all-time rankings for top position percentage and ranks among the most efficient submission artists in the heavyweight division, collecting multiple Performance of the Night bonuses.
8. What setbacks or challenges has Almeida faced in his MMA journey?
Almeida endured early career financial hardship, working security jobs to fund training, and recovered from early knockout defeats to eventually break into the UFC’s elite.
9. Has Almeida ever sustained notable injuries or suspensions?
He has avoided major injuries in recent years and maintained a busy fight schedule, fighting often and consistently at heavyweight since 2022 without lengthy absences.
10. What are Almeida’s goals and reputation in the UFC?
Almeida aims for a world title shot in the coming year. He is known for humility, work rate, outstanding ground game, and is respected as one of the most dangerous submission specialists in the division.
