UFC heavyweight contender Curtis Blaydes expects to satisfy fast-rising title prospect Sergei Pavlovich with Jon Jones vs. Ciryl Gane booked for UFC 285.
Blaydes was as soon as a risk for Jones and bought the previous UFC mild heavyweight champ’s consideration by selecting Stipe Miocic over “Bones” in a possible matchup. Now, he estimates he’s on a unique path, and it’s not one primarily based on his resume.
“Clearly I’ve seen the information, Gane is getting one other title shot vs. Jones,” Blaydes wrote on Instagram. “More than likely I’ll be getting the [Pavlovich], who simply beat Tuivasa. That’s cool with me, I get why Gane bought the shot and it wasn’t primarily based off meritocracy and that’s not a information flash, the UFC is all the time gonna … match make primarily based off who places probably the most asses within the stands and eyes on the combat.
“I hope I’ll solely want yet one more win to show I can put asses within the stands and get a title shot.”
Blaydes, 31, has gained three straight since a knockout loss to Derrick Lewis and presents a promotional upside as a consequence of his age. The Illinois native has additionally labored to be generally known as a extra well-rounded menace after leaning on his wrestling to stifle opponents in earlier bouts, stopping ex-champ Junior Dos Santos amongst a number of newer TKO wins.
Blaydes made the adjustment after being criticized by UFC President Dana White for not backing his out-of-cage discuss fighter pay and the UFC’s enterprise practices with aggressive performances which may put him over with audiences. White praised the heavyweight’s abilities however mentioned he was preventing with the unsuitable perspective and wanted to remain busy.
A win over Pavolvich would put one other up-and-coming heavyweight on Blaydes’ listing of victims. The Russian heavyweight has steamrolled the opposition to far with 5 straight first-round wins, all by knockout.