Curtis Blaydes and Dana White disagree on main event performance
Curtis Blaydes picked up another win on Saturday night as he wrestled his way to a victory over Alexander Volkov. In the unanimous decision win, Blaydes set a new UFC record for takedowns in a fight.
While Blaydes is happy with his performance for obvious reasons, UFC president Dana White did not seem impressive with Blaydes.
“I like Curtis Blaydes, but Curtis Blaydes has the wrong attitude as far as I’m concerned,” White said at the UFC on ESPN 11 post-fight press conference. “I don’t have anything against the kid at all, (but) when you talk (expletive) like he talked this week, you better come in and whoop somebody’s ass when you talk (expletive) like that. When you talk the (expletive) that he did and perform like he did tonight? You look stupid.
“Yeah, he won. He talked a lot of (expletive) coming in this week. I don’t think you talk the (expletive) he talked this week and come in and perform like that. Talking about rag-dolling people, and he’s not getting paid, and yada yada, he should be getting the title shot. He gassed out at the end of the third round, made it to the fifth and won the fight. Yeah, he won.”
Blaydes on the other hand is celebrating his record breaking performance.
“I won. There is no part of me that isn’t happy right now,” Blaydes said. “You can ask it from six different angles. There is no part of me that isn’t happy. My hand was raised. I’m happy.”
Blaydes is in the UFC title picture as he’s won four fights in a row. His only two losses on his record have come to Francis Ngannou, who is also likely next in line for a shot at UFC gold following the upcoming UFC 252 fight between champion Stipe Miocic and Daniel Cormier.
While Blaydes as inserted his name into the mix of things at heavyweight, White said Blaydes will not be getting a title fight anytime soon.
“His two losses are to Francis,” White said. “How do you give him the title shot ahead of Francis? But, yeah, he would be considered next in line. But with his performance tonight and his cardio? I wouldn’t wait around if I was him. I’d stay active. I’d stay busy.”
Blaydes clearly disagrees with his boss and believes it’s time for him to get a big fight.
“Stay busy against who?” he said. “I fought Justin Willis, ranked below me. I fought (Shamil) Abdurakhimov, ranked below me. I fought Junior (Dos Santos), ranked below me. I fought Volkov, ranked below me. Like what? No.”
