Jailton Almeida offers Tom Aspinall recommendation for Curtis Blaydes

Jailton Almeida hopes Tom Aspinall can be taught from his errors when he defends his interim heavyweight title in opposition to Curtis Blaydes at UFC 304.

Almeida (19-3 MMA, 6-1 UFC), who meets Alexandr Romanov on Saturday at UFC 302 at Prudential Heart in Newark, N.J. (pay-per-view, ESPN2, ESPN+), is coming off a troublesome loss to Blaydes in his most up-to-date efficiency. He was successful the struggle early after scoring 9 takedowns within the opening spherical, however then Blaydes turned the tide and earned a knockout from floor strikes early within the second body at UFC 299 in March.

The Brazilian admits he bought overeager in opposition to Blaydes on account of his early success, and that finally value him as he was unable to point out endurance and preserve the identical tempo over the course of three rounds.

He mentioned Aspinall (14-3 MMA, 7-1 UFC) wants to check that method going into his rematch with Blaydes (18-4 MMA, 13-4 UFC) on June 27 at Co-op Dwell in Manchester, England, and advises the interim champ to not overextend himself within the early moments of the bout.

“I believe Aspinall goes to win,” Almeida informed MMA Junkie by way of an interpreter. “He’s a extra full fighter. He has loads of respect for his profession. I do consider that Curtis is a really strategic fighter and Aspinall must be very affected person, simply as I wasn’t. Aspinall must be very affected person and perceive to when he can throw himself at Curtis, as a result of Curtis can be ready for him. On the ground, most likely.”

Blaydes bought a victory over Aspinall of their first assembly at UFC Battle Night time 208 in July 2022, but it surely was removed from satisfying. Aspinall went down with an harm simply 15 seconds into the headlining bout, and now the pair get the chance to have a sequel with out controversy.

Within the meantime, Almeida, No. 10 within the newest USA TODAY Sports activities/MMA Junkie heavyweight rankings, can be trying to reestablish himself as a contender in opposition to Romanov and set himself up for a future encounter with No. 2-ranked Aspinall or rematch with No. 5-ranked Blaydes.

“I need to struggle Aspinall sooner or later, and I additionally wish to come again and struggle with Curtis as soon as once more,” Almeida mentioned. “I’m in search of revenge, and I do know step one is to have a victory (at UFC 302).”

For extra on the cardboard, go to MMA Junkie’s occasion hub for UFC 302 and UFC 304.