UFC Cuts Heavyweight Jailton Almeida After Lackluster Showings

Almeida's firing signals the UFC's diminishing patience for uninspired performances from top-ranked fighters.

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

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The UFC has released heavyweight fighter Jailton Almeida from its roster following two consecutive uninspired losses. Almeida, who was previously ranked in the top 10, is the latest example of the promotion's changing approach to underperforming athletes, as the UFC appears to be less tolerant of boring fights and losses from highly ranked competitors.

Why it matters

The UFC's decision to cut Almeida so quickly despite his top-10 ranking suggests the promotion is becoming more impatient with fighters who fail to deliver exciting performances, even in the thin heavyweight division. This signals a potential shift in the UFC's approach to talent management, as the organization prioritizes fan engagement and entertainment value over simply retaining high-profile names.

The details

In his last two UFC fights, Almeida was criticized for his lackluster performances, with one bout described as "one of the most frustrating heavyweight fights of the modern era." Rather than continuing to give Almeida opportunities despite the underwhelming showings, the UFC has opted to release him from his contract after just two losses.

  • Almeida lost his most recent fight on February 4, 2026.
  • Almeida was released from the UFC roster on February 10, 2026, just six days after his last fight.

The players

Jailton Almeida

A former top-10 ranked heavyweight fighter in the UFC who has been released from the promotion following two consecutive uninspired losses.

UFC

The world's premier mixed martial arts promotion, which has demonstrated a decreasing tolerance for lackluster performances from its top-ranked fighters.

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What they’re saying

“It's just that he doesn't seem to want to anymore. Instead he wants to stand around and make faces like he's so bored of all this, which in turn makes us pretty bored watching him.”

— Ben Fowlkes, MMA Journalist (Yahoo Sports)

What’s next

The UFC will likely look to sign new heavyweight talent to replace Almeida on the roster, as the division remains thin despite the promotion's increased impatience with underperforming fighters.

The takeaway

Jailton Almeida's sudden release from the UFC signals a shift in the promotion's approach to handling top-ranked fighters who fail to deliver exciting performances. This suggests the UFC is prioritizing fan engagement and entertainment value over simply retaining high-profile names, even in divisions like heavyweight where the talent pool is limited.