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UFC cuts top-10 heavyweight Almeida amid skid

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UFC cuts top-10 heavyweight Almeida amid skid

  • Brett OkamotoFeb 12, 2026, 11:06 AM ET

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      Brett Okamoto has reported on mixed martial arts and boxing at ESPN since 2010. He has covered all of the biggest events in combat sports during that time, including in-depth interviews and features with names such as Dana White, Khabib Nurmagomedov, Conor McGregor, Nate Diaz, Floyd Mayweather, Manny Pacquiao and Georges St-Pierre. He was also a producer on the 30 for 30 film: «Chuck and Tito,» which looked back at the careers and rivalry of Chuck Liddell and Tito Ortiz. He lives in Las Vegas, and is an avid, below-average golfer in his spare time.

The UFC has parted ways with Top 10 heavyweight Jailton Almeida, following a decision loss to Rizvan Kuniev last weekend in Las Vegas.

Almeida (22-5) had not exhausted his exclusive contract, but the UFC elected to release him early. Almeida’s management confirmed his release to ESPN, following an initial report out of Brazil. He was the No. 8-ranked contender in the heavyweight division.

The UFC signed Almeida off its Contender Series in 2022, and he got off to a blistering start with finishes in his first five appearances. Overall, the 34-year-old ground specialist went 8-3 in the UFC, but had lost three of his last five. He competed in the light heavyweight division in 2022 and had contemplated a return, but the UFC opted to part ways instead.

His losses in the UFC came to Kuniev, Alexander Volkov and Curtis Blaydes. He is expected to seek a contract with another promotion.

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