Eduarda Moura, a professional mixed martial artist who transitioned to the UFC after only three years in the sport, is currently establishing herself in the flyweight division. While not prioritizing an immediate title run for herself in her new weight class, Moura holds a strong belief in the inevitable path to UFC gold for her teammate, heavyweight contender Jailton Almeida.
Almeida has compiled an impressive record of eight wins in nine UFC outings since his debut in 2022, with a notable finishing rate. Following recent developments in the heavyweight landscape, including Jon Jones`s situation, Almeida`s name has been frequently mentioned in discussions for the next challenging bout. Moura is emphatic that Almeida is deserving of a title opportunity, particularly against interim champion Tom Aspinall. She views potential matchups against other contenders, such as Alexander Volkov, as necessary steps but asserts that a title shot cannot be denied much longer. Moura notes Almeida`s composure regarding his title aspirations, understanding that his current standing necessitates patience for the right opportunity.
Analyzing a potential clash between Almeida and Aspinall, Moura anticipates this would represent the most formidable challenge of Almeida`s career. Consequently, she sees any delay in this matchup as beneficial, allowing her teammate valuable time to refine his skills and prepare comprehensively. When envisioning the fight itself, Moura expresses high confidence that Almeida will utilize his renowned grappling proficiency to secure a takedown against Aspinall. Furthermore, she predicts that Almeida will become the first fighter in a decade to submit the British heavyweight, leveraging his jiu-jitsu expertise. Moura acknowledges Aspinall`s recognized dangers – his speed and striking power – suggesting this makes Almeida`s strategy of seeking an early takedown both characteristic and strategically sound, perhaps saving spectators (and her own heart) unnecessary stress.
Shifting focus to her own career, Moura is set to face veteran Lauren Murphy in her next octagon appearance. This fight marks her second at flyweight, a move prompted by a challenging experience during her previous attempt to make the strawweight limit. A difficult weight cut significantly impacted her health and performance, serving as a pivotal learning experience. Moura has found her new home at flyweight, feeling considerably stronger and healthier, deeming it her natural division, though she notes she could potentially compete even heavier if required.
Regarding her upcoming adversary, Moura anticipates Murphy will display composure and experience early in their contest. However, she believes her grappling will ultimately prove decisive. Looking ahead within the flyweight division, Moura also offered a comparison between champions from different classes. She holds significant respect for strawweight champion Weili Zhang, viewing her as a uniquely tough potential opponent, perhaps even more so than former flyweight queen Valentina Shevchenko, labeling Zhang a “badass.” While acknowledging the hypothetical possibility of Zhang moving up in weight, Moura playfully suggests Zhang may prefer to remain in her current division, though she is prepared for any challenge should her own path lead to a title confrontation.
