Curtis Blaydes vs. Jailton Almeida Targeted to Headline UFC Event in Brazil

A massive heavyweight tilt between Curtis Blaydes and Jailton Almeida is apparently in the works to headline a UFC Fight Night event later this year.

First reported by Nolan King and Mike Bohn, the clash between the two top-ranked heavyweight contenders is expected to headline the UFC’s return to São Paulo, Brazil on November 4.

Big time heavyweight main event on tap for UFC São Paulo later this year, sources tell @mma_kings and myself.

Big test for Almeida, and a good gauge to find out where Blaydes stands. https://t.co/0tw8P68F7o
— Mike Bohn (@MikeBohn) June 1, 2023

The matchup is a huge one for the UFC’s heavyweight division, with Blaydes currently ranked at #4 and still seeking his first shot at UFC gold while the #9-ranked Almeida will try to continue his torrid rise through the rankings.

A member of the UFC roster since 2016, Blaydes has used his dominant wrestling to defeat almost every opponent he’s faced in the sport’s top promotion. The 32-year-old put together a five-fight win streak in between knockout losses to Francis Ngannou to start his UFC career, but another four-fight run ended when Derrick Lewis stopped him in the second round in 2021.

“Razor” looked to be on the cusp of finally earning a title shot with his latest three-fight win streak, but a matchup with fellow-top ranked heavyweight Sergei Pavlovich saw the Russian stop Blaydes in the opening round and potentially set himself up for a meeting with Jon Jones.

Arguably the UFC's fastest rising star in recent memory, Almeida's contract-winning performance on Contender Series 2021 and his UFC debut the following year were both contested at light heavyweight. Following a move up to heavyweight to face Parker Porter, the Brazilian has maintained his perfect UFC record by finishing every opponent he’s faced and most recently submitted Jairzinho Rozenstruik in his first main event in May.

The matchup promises to be a stylistic treat for fans as well as a major fight for the UFC's heavyweight division. Blaydes has yet to drop back-to-back fights in his career and has been considered the best wrestler in the division for quite awhile, but so far all of Almeida’s UFC opponents have been brought to the mat before being finished via strikes or with a submission.

Stick with MMA Knockout for more daily coverage of the UFC and MMA.

Follow MMA Knockout on Twitter and Facebook.