Ahead of his UFC 304 interim title fight against Tom Aspinall, Curtis Blaydes has sent a warning message the way of light heavyweight champion, Alex Pereira.
After their first meeting ended unceremoniously in 2022, it seemed fate that Tom Aspinall and Curtis Blaydes would meet again, with a title on the line.
With ‘Razor’ Blaydes pulling off the upset against Jailton Almeida at UFC 299 earlier this year, he earned himself a shot at the Brit’s interim title.
Despite the fight being for the interim belt because of Jon Jones‘ impending fight against Stipe Miocic, it is being viewed by many, as the real undisputed heavyweight title fight.
Curtis Blaydes sends warning message to Alex Pereira
For a moment, it seemed as though the 33-year-old wrestler may miss out on his title fight as the promotion offered the fight to Ciryl Gane first.
Not only that but following his UFC 300 win over Jamahal Hill, UFC light heavyweight champion, Alex Pereira stated that he wanted to move up to heavyweight to fight Tom Aspinall.
Although it hasn’t come to fruition just yet, ‘Poatan’ is still assessing his options and has a real plan to move up eventually.
Blaydes believes that’s a bad idea for the 37-year-old, though, as he has sent him a chilling warning message.
“Bad idea (for him). For him, I’ll give you my premeditated plan (against him): I’m gonna shoot (for a takedown), 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?” Blaydes stated at the UFC 304 media day.
“He has to know that. I think he’s looking for a specific heavyweight, not any heavyweight. I can see him beating guys like Tai (Tuivasa), maybe some other guys at the bottom of the top 15. If you give him a guy in the top 5 with real weight, he’s not winning,” Blaydes continued.
One of ‘Poatan’s’ signature strikes is his flying switch knee, but that isn’t something that Blaydes feels would prevent him from landing his takedown.
“I’d eat that knee. 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 265lb Alistair. Yes (I’d welcome Alex to the heavyweight division). I would f*** up Alex Pereira,” Blaydes claimed.
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Alex Pereira likely fighting Magomed Ankalaev next, before a heavyweight move
Although Pereira has made it clear he wants to move up to heavyweight, the Brazilian will likely defend his 205lb title against Magomed Ankalaev first.
The Russian contender has been extremely active on X (formerly Twitter) calling for the fight and predicting that he will knock Pereira out.
Having already defended his title twice so far this year, Pereira wants to fight once more before the end of 2024, so that he is ready to move up to heavyweight at the beginning of the new year.
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