Reigning UFC light heavyweight champion Magomed Ankalaev finds himself in uncharted territory after top contenders Alex Pereira and Jiri Prochazka reportedly rejected title fight offers, forcing the Dagestani star to issue an open challenge. Ankalaev, who dethroned Pereira in a grueling March showdown at UFC 313, has struggled to secure a fresh opponent despite his dominant grappling display against the Brazilian striker.
Pereira, a former three-time title defender, and Prochazka, a former champion, both declined rematches, leaving the division in limbo. Now, an unexpected contender has stepped forward—but not from the 205-pound ranks.
Jailton Almeida volunteers for light heavyweight title shot
In a twist nobody saw coming, heavyweight contender Jailton Almeida has thrown his name into the mix, offering to drop down to light heavyweight for a shot at Ankalaev’s throne. The No. 6-ranked heavyweight, known for his suffocating ground game, responded to Magomed Ankalaev’s social media callout with a bold proposition.
“Hey champ, i accept the challenge, im willing to go down againg and fight against you for the title! Alex always fought with short notice, he is too big for do that again, he dont need it. Lets go! Do you accept? I promise im not gonna take you down, only strike” Almeida posted on X, tagging UFC CEO Dana White and matchmaker Mick Maynard.
The catch? A striking-only promise
Almeida, nicknamed “Malhadinho,” added an intriguing stipulation: “I promise I’m not gonna take you down, only strike.”
The offer mirrors Ankalaev’s own pre-fight vow to Alex Pereira, where he pledged to avoid grappling exchanges. For Jailton Almeida—a submission specialist with 12 career wins via tapout—this condition defies his core strengths, raising questions about his strategy.
Why this fight intrigues
Weight Class Gambit: Almeida (19-3) would need to cut 35+ pounds to meet the 205-pound limit, a risky move given his natural heavyweight frame.
Style Clash: Magomed Ankalaev’s wrestling pedigree vs. Almeida’s untested striking—a duel of curiosity over convention.
Title Implications: Should the UFC greenlight this, it could set a precedent for cross-divisional title bouts.
Magomed Ankalaev’s silence
As of now, Ankalaev has not publicly responded to Jailton Almeida’s offer. The champion, unbeaten in his last 12 fights, may prefer a traditional divisional challenger. However, with Alex Pereira eyeing a move to heavyweight and Jiri Prochazka rebuilding after losses, options are thin.
What’s next?
The ball rests in the UFC’s court. White and Maynard face a dilemma: prioritize rankings integrity or capitalize on Almeida’s headline-grabbing challenge. If approved, the bout could headline a pay-per-view or serve as a co-main event during International Fight Week.
For Magomed Ankalaev, the path forward is murky. A win over Almeida adds little to his legacy, but a loss—however improbable—would be catastrophic. For Jailton Almeida, it’s a high-risk, high-reward gamble: victory catapults him into two-division contention; defeat stalls his heavyweight ascent.
One thing’s certain: In today’s UFC, unpredictability reigns supreme—and this potential clash embodies that spirit.