Jailton Almeida to Drop Back to Light Heavyweight After UFC Vegas 113 Loss
Two days after a tepid showing in Las Vegas, Jailton Almeida is changing divisions. The Brazilian contender, who fell by unanimous decision to Rizvan Kuniev on Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026 (ET), has informed the promotion he will return to light heavyweight. His management said on Monday, Feb. 9 (ET), that the move back to 205 pounds is underway.
A swift course correction at 265 pounds
Almeida climbed as high as No. 6 at heavyweight during a productive run marked by powerful wrestling and top control. He went 6-3 in the division with five finishes, carving out a place among the elite while drawing praise for his physicality and smothering grappling.
The momentum stalled at UFC Vegas 113 inside the Meta Apex, where Almeida’s measured pace and limited output drew criticism and opened the door for Kuniev to bank rounds en route to the upset. The loss, coupled with long-standing questions about where Almeida’s optimal weight truly lies, set the stage for a rapid decision on his future.
From media-day denial to Monday pivot
As recently as fight week, Almeida shut down talk of a return to light heavyweight, pointing to the challenge of shedding lean mass to make 205. “I get asked about it a lot, but I have no intention of going back to 205 pounds,” he said during media day. “I’m very athletic and carry a lot of muscle mass, so I’d have to lose a lot of lean mass. That’s too much. I’m staying at heavyweight.”
Forty-eight hours after the Kuniev result, that stance flipped. Managers Tiago Okamura and Leonardo Pateira said Almeida has already notified the matchmakers of his intent to compete at light heavyweight moving forward. It’s a notable about-face for a fighter who, until the weekend, was adamant about continuing at 265.
What awaits at 205
Almeida hasn’t competed at light heavyweight since 2022, when he tore through Danilo Marques in under three minutes. Even with the time away, the timing of his return could be favorable. The 205-pound division remains relatively thin near the top, and uncertainty around the title picture—particularly if the champion pursues opportunities at heavyweight—could accelerate a contender’s rise.
Stylistically, Almeida’s game is well suited for immediate impact at 205. His chain wrestling and positional control, combined with improved passing and back takes, give him a reliable path to minutes and rounds. The trade-off is the cut: he and his team will need to manage the drop carefully to preserve cardio and strength, especially in the later stages of three- and five-round fights.
Rankings math will determine how quickly Almeida can re-enter the conversation. With his previous top-10 status at heavyweight and a track record of finishes, a matchmaking path that places him against a ranked light heavyweight right away would not be surprising.
Kuniev’s muted celebration and new targets
Kuniev left the Apex with the biggest win of his career but little desire to celebrate. He graded his performance a C and acknowledged the fight lacked excitement. Still, the victory over a top-10 name should push him into the heavyweight rankings, and he made clear he’s ready for the next step.
Kuniev mentioned interest in facing Waldo Cortes-Acosta, who is on a three-fight surge highlighted by a stoppage of a former champion. He also floated Curtis Blaydes as a preferred opponent, pointing to unfinished business and a previous meeting that he believes merits a rematch. With the door now open at heavyweight, Kuniev’s next booking could arrive quickly.
The adjustment Almeida must make
Almeida’s issue in Las Vegas was not size or strength—it was urgency. Before UFC Vegas 113, he promised a more assertive approach. Instead, he ceded key moments, allowed the fight to drift, and never forced the extended grappling sequences that usually define his victories.
If he hopes to thrive at 205, that must change immediately. A faster start, more committed chain shots, and a willingness to risk positions in pursuit of damage will be essential against rangier, quick-twitch light heavyweights. The blueprint is there: at his best, Almeida overwhelms opponents with pace and control and turns top position into offense. Reinstating that identity—and proving the cut enhances, not hinders, his gas tank—will shape how quickly he can chase elite names at 205.
Next steps and a target return date are still to be determined. But with the decision made by Monday (ET), the road back to light heavyweight is officially open, and a division in need of fresh title threats just welcomed a familiar—if newly motivated—face.
