Curtis Blaydes vs. Jailton Almeida: Preview, Where to Watch and Betting Odds

Curtis Blaydes and Jailton Almeida collide in the last bout of the preliminary card at UFC 299 with a place in the top five of the heavyweight rankings at stake. The pair were originally billed to face each other last November, but a Blaydes withdrawal led to Almeida fighting Derrick Lewis at UFC Sao Paulo. The Brazilian acquitted himself in his home country by bagging the win. Early odds indicate that both fighters are even.

MMA: UFC Heavyweight

Venue: Kaseya Center, Miami, Florida, USA

Where to watch: ESPN+ / ESPN

Date: 10.03.2024. 05:30

The American has been a mainstay of the heavyweight division in the UFC since a 2016 debut against Francis Ngannou. Curtis Blaydes, the only man to defeat Tom Aspinall, the current UFC interim heavyweight champion in the UFC, last competed in April 2023 when he lost to Sergei Pavlovich. The 33-year-old Blaydes competed in collegiate wrestling before transitioning to MMA. In the UFC, “Razor” has the most control time and top position in the heavyweight division. His resume includes wins over Tom Aspinall, Alexander Volkov, and Junior dos Santos.

• Age: 33
• Height: 6’4”
• Weight: 263 lbs (119kg)
• Reach: 80”
• Record: 17-4-1 (NC)

The Brazilian heavyweight has been steadily moving up the ranks since a 2020 debut in the UFC. Now number seven in the rankings, Jailton Almeida is unbeaten in the promotion with five finishes from six victories. “Malhadinho” was taken the distance in his unanimous decision victory over Derrick Lewis last November. A black belt in Brazilian Jin-jitsu, the 32-year-old Almeida has the fewest strikes absorbed per minute in UFC history.

• Age: 32
• Height: 6’4’’
• Reach: 79”
• Weight: 236 lbs (107kg)
• Record: 20-2

Both fighters are priced at 1.90 odds on Bet364. The total over 1.5 is 1.75 odds on 1XBET, with the total under priced at 2. Curtis Blaydes to win by decision is 4 odds, while Jailton Almeida to win by submission is 2.5.