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Taking on Aspinall in July
Blaydes will face Tom Aspinall for the interim UFC Heavyweight title at UFC 304 in Manchester, England on July 27, per Damon Martin of MMAFighting.com.
ANALYSIS
Blaydes will challenge for the interim Heavyweight title coming off a second-round knockout victory over Jailton Almeida in March. Blaydes previously defeated Aspinall after the Englishman suffered a first-round knee injury in 2022. The six-foot-four American will have to overcome the challenge of fighting Aspinall in his home country of England, but Blaydes should not be overlooked.
Blaydes will challenge for the interim Heavyweight title coming off a second-round knockout victory over Jailton Almeida in March. Blaydes previously defeated Aspinall after the Englishman suffered a first-round knee injury in 2022. The six-foot-four American will have to overcome the challenge of fighting Aspinall in his home country of England, but Blaydes should not be overlooked.
Finds stoppage after brutal start
Blaydes defeated Jailton Almeida via KO (punches) at 0:36 of Round 2 at UFC 299 on Saturday in Miami.
ANALYSIS
As the old saying goes, it's not how you start, it's how you finish. Well, Blaydes started terribly in this fight and looked awful essentially the entire time outside of the brilliant stoppage he earned. He allowed Almeida to connect on nine takedown attempts in the opening round alone. He was primed for similar punishment in Round 2, but managed to clip Almeida with an uppercut while the latter was attempting an early shot, and that allowed Curtis to rain down unanswered blows to the side of Jailton's head, which resulted in referee Mike Beltran stepping in. It would also go on to win Blaydes a $50,000 Performance of the Night bonus, which was awarded to every finisher on the evening. Blaydes remains very much in the fringes of the title conversation at heavyweight given his 4-1 mark in his past five fights.
As the old saying goes, it's not how you start, it's how you finish. Well, Blaydes started terribly in this fight and looked awful essentially the entire time outside of the brilliant stoppage he earned. He allowed Almeida to connect on nine takedown attempts in the opening round alone. He was primed for similar punishment in Round 2, but managed to clip Almeida with an uppercut while the latter was attempting an early shot, and that allowed Curtis to rain down unanswered blows to the side of Jailton's head, which resulted in referee Mike Beltran stepping in. It would also go on to win Blaydes a $50,000 Performance of the Night bonus, which was awarded to every finisher on the evening. Blaydes remains very much in the fringes of the title conversation at heavyweight given his 4-1 mark in his past five fights.
Almeida fight re-scheduled
Blaydes (ankle) is scheduled to compete against Jailton Almeida in a heavyweight fight at UFC 299 on March 9, per Guilherme Cruz of MMAFighting.com.
ANALYSIS
Blaydes and Almeida were scheduled to fight on Nov. 4 before the former withdrew, citing ankle injuries. However, both fighters will get a second chance at each other, this time about three months down the line. Blaydes will look to bounce back after a TKO loss at the hands of interim UFC Heavyweight Championship challenger Sergei Pavlovich.
Blaydes and Almeida were scheduled to fight on Nov. 4 before the former withdrew, citing ankle injuries. However, both fighters will get a second chance at each other, this time about three months down the line. Blaydes will look to bounce back after a TKO loss at the hands of interim UFC Heavyweight Championship challenger Sergei Pavlovich.
Suffering from ankle injuries
Blaydes has injuries to both of his ankles, per Brett Okamoto of ESPN.com.
ANALYSIS
Blaydes initially suffered an injury to only one of his ankles. He tried to push through the injury but ended up injuring his other ankle in the process. Blaydes will be unable to partake in physical activity for four-to-six weeks. Considering the heavyweight would need that time to prepare for a fight, it is safe to say he is not returning until 2024.
Blaydes initially suffered an injury to only one of his ankles. He tried to push through the injury but ended up injuring his other ankle in the process. Blaydes will be unable to partake in physical activity for four-to-six weeks. Considering the heavyweight would need that time to prepare for a fight, it is safe to say he is not returning until 2024.
Withdraws from Almeida fight
Blaydes withdrew from his scheduled fight against Jailton Almeida at UFC Sao Paulo, according to Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl.
ANALYSIS
Currently, Blaydes' withdrawal reasoning is unknown. Instead of Blaydes, Almeida will fight Derrick Lewis at UFC Sao Paulo. Chances are high Blaydes sits out until 2024.
Currently, Blaydes' withdrawal reasoning is unknown. Instead of Blaydes, Almeida will fight Derrick Lewis at UFC Sao Paulo. Chances are high Blaydes sits out until 2024.