UFC fighter Eduarda Moura, currently navigating her own path in the flyweight division, holds an unwavering belief in the championship destiny of her teammate, heavyweight contender Jailton Almeida. While Moura herself adopts a measured approach to chasing divisional gold, her confidence in Almeida`s potential to reach the pinnacle of the sport is absolute, extending even to a specific prediction for a potential clash against interim champion Tom Aspinall.
Having compiled an impressive record since joining the UFC, Almeida is widely considered on the cusp of a title opportunity. Moura echoes this sentiment, stating unequivocally that Almeida`s position at the top of the division is secure, and a shot at the championship is an inevitability. She feels that regardless of who he faces next, be it Alexander Volkov or another top contender, his next step *must* be a title fight, suggesting there is “nowhere else to go” for the highly-ranked heavyweight.
Delving into the hypothetical, yet highly anticipated, matchup against Tom Aspinall, Moura doesn`t just foresee an Almeida victory; she envisions a specific method. Despite acknowledging Aspinall`s recognized speed and striking power, Moura is confident that Almeida`s world-class grappling will neutralize these threats. She predicts that Almeida will secure an early takedown – a maneuver she notes he “loves doing” – and subsequently achieve the first submission victory over Aspinall in a decade. The prospect of such a high-stakes encounter, however, elicits a touch of relatable anxiety, with Moura admitting she hopes the finish comes “quickly so our hearts don’t suffer too much.”
Moura views a potential fight with Aspinall as arguably the toughest challenge of Almeida`s career. Consequently, she sees the current period of anticipation as beneficial, allowing her teammate crucial time to refine his skills and ensure he is operating at peak performance when the opportunity for UFC gold finally arrives.
Meanwhile, Moura`s own career trajectory has led her to the flyweight division following a challenging period at strawweight. The demanding weight cuts took a significant toll, impacting her health and performance, ultimately leading to a decision to move up. Reflecting on a particularly difficult cut that preceded her sole professional loss, Moura describes it as a “brutal” learning experience that solidified her decision to compete where she feels naturally strong. As she prepares for her upcoming fight against veteran Lauren Murphy at UFC Nashville, a contest she believes her grappling will dictate, Moura finds comfort in competing at a weight class where she feels better physically and mentally.
Interestingly, Moura draws a contrast between the perceived challenges in the flyweight title picture versus strawweight. While acknowledging the toughness of reigning champions and top contenders in both divisions, she singles out former strawweight queen Weili Zhang as a particularly daunting figure. Her respect for Zhang`s abilities was a factor in her divisional change, admitting she would feel “more apprehensive” facing Zhang for a title compared to others. This perspective adds a layer of intriguing complexity to her divisional move, though she humorously downplays the possibility of Zhang following her to flyweight.
In essence, Moura`s position offers a unique dual perspective: navigating the initial stages of her climb in a new division while simultaneously observing and confidently predicting her teammate`s imminent arrival at the sport`s summit. Her belief in Almeida`s ability to overcome the division`s best, specifically forecasting a submission win over Aspinall, provides a compelling narrative thread connecting the paths of two teammates aiming for UFC glory, albeit on different timelines and in different weight classes.
