Almeida calls out Spivac after Moldovan’s UFC Fight Night win
Jailton Almeida has immediately called out Serghei Spivac following the heavyweight’s first-round submission of Marcin Tybura on Sunday (AEST) at UFC Fight Night.
Spivac’s victory over Tybura was arguably his best performance in the UFC to date, with the Moldovan securing an armbar inside two minutes in Las Vegas.
Almeida has pounced on the opportunity to challenge Spivac, posting on social media platform X soon after the fight’s completion.
“Spivak, do you want someone above you in the rankings?” he said.
“I’m here!! #7 vs #8. I want to fight bro!
“Happy you get the finish early, so, we can fight soon!”
Almeida is the No.7-ranked heavyweight in the UFC, while — despite the Brazilian’s assumption — Spivac remains at No.9 in the rankings, behind Tybura.
Spivac refuses to be baited by Almeida
In his post-fight press conference, Spivac would not be drawn on who he is interested in fighting next.
“When people ask me what’s next, it’s very hard to say because a lot of things can change in the heavyweight division really quickly,” the 29-year-old said on Saturday night.
“So, it’s really good for me when the UFC says who is next, as opposed to having to choose.
“I understand the events happen every single Saturday, every single week, so I’ll wait and I’ll see. We’ll see what’s next.”
Spivac did have a message for Almeida, however, when he was informed of the Brazilian’s desire to fight him:
“Let him train.”
Spivac hopes to fight again in 2024
Despite losing his first fight against Tybura in 2020, UFC bookmakers had Spivac as a slight favourite to prevail on Sunday.
Now, he is eager to get back in the octagon and fight again before the new year.
“End of the year would be great,” Spivac said.
“As long as I stay healthy, I will fight at the end of the year.”
With plenty of action to come in the heavyweight division over the coming months — including Tai Tuivasa vs Jairzinho Rozenstruik this weekend — another fight in 2024 will be key to Spivac continuing his climb up the UFC rankings.