On January 29, 2024, at Demo Fight 18 in Salvador, Bahia, Jailton Almeida, with a record of 20-2 in MMA and 6-0 in the UFC, faced a unique challenge for a charitable cause. His opponent was Alvaro Borges, an athlete with Down syndrome, whose dream came true in the octagon.
During the charity MMA bout, Borges showcased his skills, attempting spin kicks and ultimately taking Almeida to the canvas. He displayed impressive ground control, mounting Almeida and working for a triangle armbar from guard, which led to a submission victory.
In recognition of his victory, Borges was presented with a championship belt, and he celebrated with Almeida and others inside the cage during the official announcement.
This win marked Borges’ second victory in charity exhibition bouts, following his previous triumph over Brazilian jiu-jitsu coach Pablo Passos at Demo Fight 17 in July, also secured by an armbar.
Looking ahead, Almeida, 32, is set to return to professional competition on March 9 at UFC 299, where he will face Curtis Blaydes (17-4 MMA, 12-4 UFC). This bout carries potential title implications for Almeida, who boasts UFC victories over notable fighters such as Derrick Lewis and Jairzinho Rozenstruik.
