UFC heavyweight Curtis Blaydes is happy to welcome former light heavyweight champion Jon Jones to the 265-pound division. Jones is set to make his heavyweight debut opposite Ciryl Gane, but Curtis Blaydes wants a piece of “Bones” Jones. Blaydes recently appeared on Food Truck Diaries to discuss how he feels he would fare against Jones. Unsurprisingly, Blaydes feels that he has a long list of advantages over Jon Jones, and not just his experience at the heavier weight class.
“Just the difference between 215 or 197 compared to heavyweight, when you’re on the bottom, when he’s underneath me, which I do plan on him being underneath me, he’s gonna use a lot more energy than what he’s used to using.
Curtis Blaydes Lists Advantages over Jon Jones
I think that’ll be the biggest factor. Size, power, explosiveness. He’s not the most explosive guy. He’s very creative with the striking, but he’s not very explosive. I think he’s more well rounded, but the wrestling, the size, the explosion, and power, I think jab for jab, if we both connect, he’ll go backwards, and I won’t.”
Jon Jones’ technical striking and wrestling were among his greatest strengths at light heavyweight. Whether he can translate his mobility and fight IQ to a weight class a full sixty pounds heavier than the one he once ruled is another story entirely.
Curtis Blaydes also took the opportunity to set a goal for himself. Although most heavyweights avoid a grappling-heavy approach for the most part, Curtis Blaydes does not mind shooting for takedowns and getting his opponents on the ground. For that reason, he’s shooting to break Georges St-Pierre’s legendary takedown record.
“I want to break the record. I want to break GSP’s. I think he’s got 90. I want to break his record. … I’m at [62]. Yeah, [I can break it]. I just need to be fighting.
I want the record, and in order to get the record, I need to average like five takedowns a fight and at this rate. I’m only fighting twice a year. I’m going to have to average five takedowns a fight, and I plan on doing it.”
Curtis Blaydes’ last appearance was last year, opposite Englishman Tom Aspinall. Aspinall suffered a torn ACL in the opening minutes of their headliner at UFC London, leaving Blaydes little opportunity to chase the takedown record.
Do you think Curtis Blaydes will fight Jon Jones, and will he take out the former light heavyweight champion if he does? Let us know in the comments.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lN9D6z0CKr0
