UFC heavyweight contender Jailton Almeida displayed his compassionate side by participating in a friendly exhibition match against Alvare Borges, an athlete with Down syndrome, at Demo Fight 18. This unique matchup aimed to promote inclusion for individuals born with Down syndrome, fostering a positive and supportive environment within the MMA community.
The exhibition match garnered attention and was documented on the official Twitter account of MMA Mania, where videos of the fight were shared. The event served as a heart-warming example of sportsmanship and demonstrated the positive impact that athletes like Almeida can have on promoting social causes.
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Jailton Almeida loses the fight but wins hearts with his show of compassion
Despite being in the midst of preparing for his upcoming significant bout against Curtis Blaydes at UFC 299 on March 9, Almeida willingly accepted the challenge to face Borges in an exhibition MMA match. The contest consisted of three rounds, ultimately resulting in Borges being declared the winner via unanimous decision. Jailton Almeida, content with the outcome, embraced the loss as a means to contribute to a noble cause and promote awareness for individuals with Down syndrome and made the dreams of the fighter come true.
Jailton Almeida "perd" son combat contre Alvaro Borges (atteint de trisomie 21) par soumission 🥋
Ça fait plaisir de voir ça, Jailton t’es un bon gars 🇧🇷 pic.twitter.com/wJqhIsE2CH
— MMA TIME (@MMA__TIME) January 27, 2024
The 32-year-old UFC star, Jailton Almeida is poised for a significant challenge against Curtis Blaydes, a seasoned veteran in the upcoming UFC 299. Almeida’s remarkable records and victories have catapulted him into the spotlight with a 6-0 record in the UFC post his win in Dana White’s Contender Series 39, but the bout against Blaydes will serve as a true test of his abilities against a formidable adversary. The outcome of this fight will likely shape perceptions of Almeida’s capabilities within the MMA community.
A fan took to X to express his opinion over the Curtis Blaydes vs Tom Aspinall and stated “Get that Curtis blaydes fight back. Technically you lost but I know it bothers you that there’s an L on your record from him. Gotta get it back. If he beats almedia that’s the route to go.” Tom Aspinall responded “Winner of blaydes almeida sounds good.” Thus, a bout in the future can be expected. This is Jailton Almeida’s chance to get into the spotlight and have a shot at the UFC Interim Heavyweight belt.
Winner of blaydes almeida sounds good https://t.co/Je8R6YtfRI
— Tom Aspinall (@AspinallMMA) December 31, 2023
Jailton Almeida’s decision to participate in the exhibition match exemplified the positive influence that athletes can have beyond the confines of competitive sports, showcasing the softer and more altruistic side of the UFC heavyweight contender.