Yahoo Sports Jailton Almeida says his training camp was harder than UFC 283 win over Abdurakhimov
RIO DE JANEIRO – Jailton Almeida beat Shamil Abdurakhimov with a second-round TKO Saturday on the preliminary card at UFC 283 at Jeunesse Arena in Rio de Janeiro.
Take a look inside the fight with Almeida, who stayed perfect in the UFC and won for the 12th straight time.
Shamil Abdurakhimov vs. Jailton Almeida
Jan 21, 2023; Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Jailton Almeida (blue gloves) reacts after the fight against Shamil Abdurakhimov (red gloves) during UFC 283 at Jeunesse Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jason da Silva-USA TODAY Sports
Result: Jailton Almeida def. Shamil Abdurakhimov via TKO (punches) – Round 2, 2:56
Updated records: Almeida (18-2 MMA, 4-0 UFC), Abdurakhimov (20-8 MMA, 5-6 UFC)
Key stat: Almeida was the biggest favorite on the card at nearly 10-1 and outstruck Abdurakhimov 89-3, including 45-1 in significant strikes.
Almeida on the fight's key moment
Jan 21, 2023; Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Shamil Abdurakhimov (red gloves) fights Jailton Almeida (blue gloves) during UFC 283 at Jeunesse Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jason da Silva-USA TODAY Sports
“I didn’t feel (his first big punch) that much. His hand wasn’t that heavy. I didn’t lose anything (when he hit me). … I came to fight three rounds, but I realized by the second round, he was starting to get fatigued. I saw an opportunity and I finished the fight.”
Almeida on fighting a ranked opponent
Jan 21, 2023; Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Shamil Abdurakhimov (red gloves) fights Jailton Almeida (blue gloves) during UFC 283 at Jeunesse Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jason da Silva-USA TODAY Sports
“I was holding back to start with, but I didn’t find it that difficult. The camp was harder than the actual fight.”
Almeida on what he wants next
“I’m a really down-to-earth fighter. I’m not going to call anyone out. I just need the bosses to do that for me. … I’ll stay at heavyweight. I don’t have anyone to call out now, but I definitely want to go up the ranks.”
To hear more from Almeida, check out the video of the full post-fight interview above.
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 283.
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