On Saturday, we get a loaded UFC 321 card in Abu Dhabi that promises to be a can’t-miss fight card, especially in a pivotal heavyweight showdown on the main card, as Russian veteran Alexander Volkov squares off against surging Brazilian submission specialist Jailton Almeida.
We'll break down our Volkov vs. Almeida prediction, expert pick, and stats for UFC 321 below, including PrizePicks UFC picks for this high-stakes heavyweight battle.
Before the spotlight shines on the main event between undisputed heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall and former interim titleholder Ciryl Gane, the heavyweight clash between Volkov and Almeida carries huge stakes — the winner could catapult themselves into title contention in a wide-open division.
Let's give you all you need to know for your Volkov vs. Almeida pick for UFC 321.
UFC 321: Alexander Volkov vs. Jailton Almeida Preview
Alexander Volkov (38-11) has to be eager to rebound after a controversial split-decision loss to Ciryl Gane at UFC 310 in December. Most media members scored that fight for the Russian, and Volkov is determined to leave no doubt this time around.
The 6'7" striker has vowed to knock out Almeida while remaining confident in his improved ground game if the fight hits the mat.
In contrast, Jailton Almeida (22-3) bounced back emphatically from his brutal knockout loss to Curtis Blaydes, finishing Serghei Spivac in the first round at UFC 311 earlier this year. The Brazilian submission machine believes a victory over the #2-ranked Volkov should earn him a heavyweight title shot.
If this fight stays standing, Volkov holds every advantage with his massive reach and technical striking. However, that's a big "if" when facing one of the division's most relentless grapplers.
Volkov possesses the length and power to keep Almeida at bay, punishing him with body kicks and sharp combinations from distance. But “Malhadinho” has the suffocating grappling and submission skills to end this fight the moment it hits the canvas.
We could see a high-stakes chess match between these two heavyweight contenders in Abu Dhabi.
Volkov and Almeida represent opposite ends of the MMA spectrum — precision striking versus relentless grappling — leaving little room for error in this potential title eliminator. It'll be exciting to see if Volkov's improved takedown defense can withstand Almeida's 6.85 takedowns per 15 minutes, or if the Brazilian can drag the Russian into deep waters and secure another first-round finish.
Volkov vs. Almeida Start Time & Stats
Who doesn’t love an early fight card? UFC 321 is set for an early start time in the U.S., with Volkov vs. Almeida kickstarting the main card.
How to Watch Volkov vs. Almeida at UFC 321
- Date: Saturday, October 25, 2025
- Time: Main Card - 2 p.m. ET | Volkov vs. Almeida Start Time: 2:30 p.m. ET (estimate)
- Location: Etihad Arena, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
- TV: ESPN+ PPV
Alexander Volkov Stats
Overall Record: 38-11
UFC Record: 12-5
Last 5 Fights: 4-1
Height: 6'7"
Reach: 80”
Significant Strikes Landed Per Minute: 4.97
Takedowns Landed Per 15 Minutes: 0.61
Last Fight: Loss vs. Cyril Gane by Decision
Finishes: 28 (24 KO/TKO/4 SUB)
Jailton Almeida Stats
Overall Record: 22-3
UFC Record: 8-1
Last 5 Fights: 4-1
Height: 6'3"
Reach: 79”
Significant Strikes Landed Per Minute: 2.62
Takedowns Landed Per 15 Minutes: 6.58
Last Fight: Win vs. Serghei Spivac by KO/TKO in round 1
Finishes: 21 (8 KO/TKO/13 SUB)
Volkov vs. Almeida Prediction, Pick
Alexander Volkov will look to derail the title aspirations of Jailton Almeida this Saturday in Abu Dhabi. He certainly has had some frustrating results lately despite putting together solid performances.
Volkov had been positioning himself as a legitimate heavyweight contender with impressive wins over Sergei Pavlovich and Tai Tuivasa, but he's dropped back-to-back fights to top-tier competition.
For as tall as Volkov is at 6'7", he's surprisingly technical with his striking. This has allowed him to maintain distance and pick opponents apart before they can close the gap.
Volkov's 80-inch reach, paired with his karate background, makes it difficult for grapplers to enter the pocket without delivering punishing body kicks and straight punches.
As for Almeida, he has been a force of nature during his UFC run, proving that old-school grappling still works at heavyweight.
When it comes to his fighting style, the Malhadinho nickname is truly something he embodies. He utilizes relentless pressure, chain wrestling, and elite Brazilian jiu-jitsu to rack up an average fight time of just 6 minutes, 50 seconds. With 6.85 takedowns landed per 15 minutes and 2.60 submission attempts in the same timeframe, Almeida is constantly hunting for the finish.
Volkov vs. Almeida Prediction: 8.25 Minutes Fight Time
- Volkov’s average fight time is 12:57.
- Almeida’s average fight time is 6:50.
- “Drago” has 15 first-round finishes in his career.
- “Malhadinho” has seen a second round only five times in his 26-fight MMA career.
Make UFC 321 Picks on PrizePicks
UFC 321: Aspinall vs. Gane will be broadcast live on ESPN+ PPV from Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, this Saturday, October 25
The heavyweight bout on the main card pits two behemoths — Volkov vs. Almeida — against one another as they both look to put themselves into title contention in the wide-open heavyweight division.
This UFC 321 fight card has some championship-level fighters to make a statement, and with a fight like Vokov vs. Almeida, this is a special PPV event, especially among heavyweights.
You can win real money by locking in your UFC 321 predictions on PrizePicks — from the first fight of the night all the way to the light heavyweight main event.
Just go to the PrizePicks MMA board, pick two or more UFC fighter projections, lock in your Lineup, and cash in if your picks are on point.
