“I’m not fighting Jon Jones to prove I deserve a heavyweight title shot, that’s ridiculous,” Blaydes said.
Curtis Blaydes has his sights set on a shot at the UFC heavyweight title next, not a bout welcoming Jon Jones to the weight class.
The accomplished wrestler Blaydes (14-2, 1NC) has won his last four UFC fights and is ranked #2 in the heavyweight division. “Razor” has wins over Junior Dos Santos and Alexander Volkov in 2020 and feels he has earned a shot at champion Stipe Miocic.
Talking recently to TSN, Blaydes explained why he wouldn’t fight Jones for the money he can make fighting a “bum” instead.
“I’m not doing that. I win this fight I want a title shot,” Blaydes said. “I’m not fighting Jon Jones to prove I deserve a heavyweight title shot, that’s ridiculous.”
In preparation for a move up to heavyweight, Jones (26-1, 1NC) vacated his light heavyweight title in August. “Bones” hasn’t been linked to any fights since a public dispute with Dana White and the UFC, saying the promotion “was unwilling to pay more” for a fight against Francis Ngannou.
“It does appeal to me [the fight with Jones] but we are talking about money, but I’m not going to fight Jon Jones for $200,000. I think a lot of people forget we get paid what we get paid regardless of the opponent, I don’t need to fight Jon Jones to make $200,000. I can fight a bum and make $200,000 if I am fighting Jon Jones I want that money.
“This is only about the money, that’s all it’s about. So as long as the money is right, I’m down. I don’t fight for fun, I don’t fight for ego or legacy, I’m a prize fighter.