Blaydes Warns Fans: Don’t Tune In If You Want A Stand-Up War

Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images

Curtis Blaydes is looking to take his heavyweight stock to another level tomorrow night (Sat., June 20, 2020) at UFC on ESPN 11 live on ESPN/ESPN+ from inside UFC Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada, when he squares off with towering contender Alexander Volkov. But just because “Razor” is looking to capitalize on another main event bid doesn’t mean fight fans should expect instant fireworks.

According to Blaydes, he’s going to implement his world-class wrestling to drag the Russian knockout artist to the ground and do what he does best in order to avoid unnecessary exchanges on the feet. If fight fans don’t like his way of beating down one of the best strikers in the division then they shouldn’t tune in. At least Blaydes is being up front about his intentions before fans start calling for a first-round slobberknocker.

Here is what the streaking heavyweight contender had to say in a very honest Twitter post:

“FYI if y’all were hoping to see a 25 minute stand up war you probably shouldn’t tune in to the main event cause I fully intend on rag dolling my opponent just figured I’d let y’all know ahead of time,” wrote Blaydes.

Blaydes, 29, is one of the most undervalued assets in the UFC’s heavyweight division. Since making his Octagon debut back in 2016 the aspiring title challenger has amassed a 8-2 (1 NC) record including finishes over Junior dos Santos, Alistair Overeem, and Aleksei Oleinik. The only two blemishes on Blaydes’ UFC resume came against Francis Ngannou, and we all know how hard it is to beat that dude.

All of that said, fight fans looking for a patented heavyweight knockout artist may not appreciate Blaydes’ overall work inside of the cage. As a wrestler who secures takedowns to sap his opponent’s energy and batter them with heavy punches from top control, “Razor” isn’t the quintessential one-punch finisher that usually rules the division. He’s a patient fighter with discipline on the feet and on the ground, while offering stopping power as the fights goes on.

Despite being a wrestler first Blaydes does have some very entertaining fights under his belt. Once he’s able to gain control of his opponent and implement his own game plan it becomes quite beautiful to watch. We’ll have to wait and see if Volkov falls into Blaydes’ trap this weekend at UFC on ESPN 11.

Volkov has yet to respond to Blaydes’ outlook on their main event, but Ngannou wasted little time throwing some shade at “Razor.”

“I know a little something about ragdolling somebody,” wrote Ngannou via Twitter.

MMAmania.com will deliver LIVE round-by-round, blow-by-blow coverage of the entire UFC on ESPN 11 fight card RIGHT HERE, starting with the ESPN/ESPN+ “Prelims” that are scheduled to begin at 5 p.m. ET, then the main card portion that will also stream on ESPN/ESPN+ at 8 p.m. ET.

For more UFC on ESPN 11 fight card news click here.