An exciting matchup headlines UFC São Paulo, featuring the heavyweight clash between striking Brazilian Jailton Almeida and former UFC heavyweight championship challenger and knockout king Derrick Lewis. The veteran Lewis, who replaced Curtis Blaydes on the card, poses the most significant challenge the Dana White Contender Series graduate Almeida has faced in the UFC so far. Unbeaten in the promotion, the Brazilian is the bookies’ favorite in the main event at the Ginasio do Ibirapuera, São Paulo, Brazil.
MMA: UFC Heavyweight
Venue: Ginasio do Ibirapuera, São Paulo, Brazil
Where to watch: ESPN+
Date: 5.11.2023. 06.30
Jailton Almeida
The Brazilian grappler is 5-0 in the UFC, debuting in the promotion in early 2022. A black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu, Jailton Almeida, submitted Nasrudin Nasrudinov at the DWCS to earn a contract. Three submissions, two knockouts, and a few Performances of the Night bonus awards saw Almeida climb into the top ten heavyweight rankings. The 32-year-old, who defeated Parker Porter last year, has a couple of wins this year over Jairzinho Rozenstruik and Shamil Abdurakhimov.
Tale of the Tape
- Age: 32
- Height: 6’ 3”
- Reach: 79”
- Weight: 231 Ibs
- Record: 19-2
I said I didn’t want to fight here, and since arriving, nothing has changed. I can’t wait to go home. I’m basically fighting for them right now. I’m not getting anything out of it. By the time I pay my coaches and so on – it’s not even worth it – and that’s if I don’t get pickpocketed here. Plus, I can’t eat none of the food – I’m not trusting it, I’ll end up sick.
Derrick Lewis
Under pressure due to a three-fight skid and facing a potential end to his contract, Derrick Lewis returned to the winning column most viciously with a 33-second TKO of Marcos Rogerios de Lima at UFC 291. Holding the record for most knockouts in UFC history, “The Black Beast” has a solid right punch that puts many a fighter to sleep. Before his last win, the 38-year-old American dropped consecutive fights to Sergey Spivak, Serghei Pavlovich, and Tai Tuivasa. In 2018, Derrick Lewis made a failed bid for the Heavyweight championship, losing to Daniel Cormier in a second-round submission. His resume includes wins over Francis Ngannou and Alexander Volkov. The veteran made his UFC debut in 2014.
Tale of the Tape
- Age: 38
- Height: 6’ 3”
- Reach: 79”
- Weight: 264 lbs
- Record: 27-11-1 (NC)
Betting Odds
An exciting fight between a puncher and a grappler has Derrick Lewis as the 4.705 underdog on Betwinner. Lewis by KO/TKO or DQ is 5.00 odds on Betwinner. 1XBET prices Jailton Almeida by submission at 1.83 odds and by KO/TKO at 2.95. Bet365 lists over 1.5 at 3.20 odds and over 2.5 at 6.00 odds.
