Alexander Volkov enters his clash withJailton Almeida atUFC 321 on Saturday, October 25, 2025, riding a three-fight win streak that includes decisive victories over Marcin Tybura and Alexander Romanov. Ranked #5 in the UFC heavyweight division, Volkov has consistently demonstrated elite striking accuracy and durable defense, though his last title shot in 2022 ended in a narrow loss to current champion Tom Aspinall. He’s been vocal about his desire for a title rematch, but with Aspinall set to face Ciryl Gane in the main event, Volkov’s bout with Almeida now serves as the de facto #1 contender eliminator. His recent training camp in Florida has focused on improving takedown defense and ground-and-pound transitions, addressing weaknesses exposed in past fights against elite grapplers.

Jailton Almeida, the #7-ranked heavyweight and a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt under the legendary Andre Galvão, comes into this fight on a two-fight win streak, both by first-round submission — including a brutal arm-triangle choke over Curtis Blaydes in March. Known for his suffocating top control and relentless pressure, Almeida has emerged as one of the most dangerous submission threats in the division. His recent social media posts confirm he and Volkov mutually agreed to this matchup, with both fighters open to fighting in either Abu Dhabi or Brazil. While Almeida has yet to face a top-5 opponent, his grappling pedigree and physical strength make him a nightmare for strikers who struggle to manage distance. This fight is a classic striker-vs-grappler showdown with massive playoff implications: the winner will almost certainly earn the next title shot behind Aspinall.

The key matchup will be Volkov’s ability to keep the fight standing and use his reach advantage (79.5 inches) to land clean leg kicks and body shots before Almeida can close the distance. If Almeida secures a takedown within the first two minutes, he’ll have a clear path to victory — Volkov has been submitted twice in his career, both times by elite grapplers. Conversely, if Volkov can survive the early storm and force Almeida into a stand-up war, his superior volume and fight IQ could tilt the scales. With no injuries reported and no coaching changes on either side, this is a pure test of skill and will. The victor won’t just earn bragging rights — they’ll own the clearest path to the UFC heavyweight throne.

Team	Best Odds
Jailton Almeida	-152 1xBet	-450	-185	-190	-278	-205	-375	-250	-650	-275	-230	-152	-203	-178	-250	-155
Draw	+4900 1xBet	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	+4900	-	-	-	-
Alexander Volkov	+400 FanDuel	+300	+160	+150	+185	+173	+270	+180	+400	+190	+183	+124	+165	+152	+175	+120

Jailton Almeida @ Alexander Volkov Odds

Jailton Almeida

Alexander Volkov

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