J. Malhaidnho during fight in UFC 283 (Photo: Instagram/@ufc_brasil)
No UFC 302, Jaílton Malhadinho will have a crucial clash for his ambitions in the heavyweight division (up to 120,2kg). Facing the great Aleksandr Romanov, the fighter from Bahia could go 'from heaven to hell' depending on the result obtained in New Jersey (USA). He understands the importance of the Brazilian's commitment this Saturday (01).
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Malhadinho's tough defeat to Curtis blaydes No. UFC 299 hindered the Brazilian's plans to reach the top-5 of the category in 2024. After knocking out the Brazilian, the North American will compete for the interim heavyweight belt (up to 120,2kg) against Tom aspinall at UFC 304, on July 27th. Opportunity that could have been offered to Jaílton, in case of triumph on March 09th.
With few options available in the top-5 heavyweight division, Malhadinho decided to accept a quick return, facing Aleksandr Romanov in the UFC 302. The Moldovan is currently fourteenth in the rankings and a triumph for Jaílton would probably add little to his progress in the division… right? That's when things start to heat up and increase the importance of a victory for the Brazilian this Saturday (01).
Currently, the entire top-6 heavyweight division already has a rival or a set date for their next match: Jones and Miocic (#6) will face each other for the linear belt, probably in November. Aspinall (#1) and Blaydes (#4) compete for the interim title and Pavlovich (#3) and Volkov (#5) will also share the octagon in June. Who's left? Cyryl Gane.
The former interim heavyweight champion, currently number two in the rankings, has already been confirmed as the protagonist of the UFC's annual event in Paris, which takes place on September 28th. The problem is that the 'Good Boy' still doesn't have a defined rival. A good victory for Malhadinho in the UFC 302, could put him in a main event that could be a heavyweight 'semifinal'.
It is worth remembering that Jones and Miocic will face each other in November and both have given no guarantees that they will continue fighting after the highly anticipated duel. The chances are good that the winner of Aspinall and Blaydes will be promoted to lineal champion a few months later and the victor of the main fight of the UFC Paris become the first challenger for the belt.
The fact is that Malhadinho needs the victory to not distance himself from the division's elite. After a title eliminator against Curtis blaydes, looking back to the bottom of the rankings would not be the best scenario for the Brazilian, who moved to heavyweight precisely because he thought the path towards the belt would be less complicated than in light heavyweight.
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