UFC heavyweight contender Curtis Blaydes is set to make a move on UFC gold on Saturday night in Manchester. The American will face UFC interim heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall in the co-main event at UFC 304. This will be their first rematch battle since defeating the Briton in 2022.
Blaydes recently spoke on the strength used in the heavyweight division, and his doubts about Pereira fitting into this category. Pereira, the current middleweight UFC champion, has recently made his intentions of switching to the heavyweight division known after his rematch bout against former champion Jiri Prochazka. Pereira has managed to conquer three divisions in the UFC and has emerged as champion in all. “Poatan” is set to hit another record and transition to heavyweight with hopes of beating his way to the top. However, Blaydes says this may be a misstep for Pereira. “Bad idea,” Blaydes told reporters at UFC 304media day.
“He has matchups against — I can see him beating guys like Tai. We watched him sparring with Tai Tuivasa. Maybe some other guys in the bottom of the top-15. But you give him a top-five guy with some real weight, he’s not winning.”
Although Pereira has the experience and is a formidable opponent, Blaydes is quite positive he stands zero chance against some heavy-hitting heavyweight fighters. Blaydes laid out a strategy if he were to face Pereira in the cage.
“Him, I’ll give you my premeditated plan: I’m going to shoot. Immediately. Why would I give him any chance to knock me out on the feet when I know I can take him down at will? I’m sure he has to know that. I think he’s looking for a specific heavyweight, not any heavyweight.
Despite Pereira’s fighting prowess, Blaydes believes the striking exchange will hold no threats. ‘Razor’ claims that the difference and expertise in the weight class gives him a better advantage in a fight with Pereira.
“I’m going to eat that knee,” Blaydes said when asked about Pereira’s flying knees. “I ate one from Alistair [Overeem]. You think he throws harder knees than Alistair? I know he’s got the aura going on right now, but I ate a knee from 265-pound Alistair. I’m good with eating knees.
“Yes [I would welcome a fight]. Yes. I know that’s what everyone wants. I would f*ck up Alex Pereira. It’s not because he’s not good. I’m heavier than he is. A heavyweight, gravity, weight matters. It’s not a skill basis. It’s just how it is.”
A fight between Blaydes and Pereira is still hypothetical. However, if Pereira were to move to heavyweight, a possibility could present itself.
