Curtis Blaydes News
What's next for the heavyweight stars of UFC Beijing?
Cole Shelton - November 25, 2018
UFC Beijing featured two heavyweight fights that had major impacts on the divisional rankings. In the main event, Francis Ngannou took on Curtis Blaydes in a highly anticipated rematch. Meanwhile, in the co-main event, veteran Alistair Overeem took on UFC newcomer Sergey Pavlovich. Ultimately, both Overeem and Ngannou won their fights by knockout, which will surely cause both to surge up the divisional rankings. Blaydes and Pavlovich, meanwhile, will have to return to the drawing board.
Joe Rogan and Brendan Schaub react to Francis Ngannou's first-round KO of Curtis Blaydes
Tom Taylor - November 25, 2018
UFC color commentator Joe Rogan was not on duty for Saturday’s UFC Beijing broadcast, and instead hosted one of his popular Fight Companion podcasts for the card, alongside his friends Brendan Schaub, Bryan Callen and Eddie Bravo. As you can probably imagine, the whole gang was quite impressed by the UFC Beijing main event, which saw former UFC heavyweight title challenger Francis Ngannou rebound from losses to Stipe Miocic and Derrick Lewis with a thunderous, first-round knockout of streaking American wrestler Curtis Blaydes.
Curtis Blaydes issues statement following second loss to Francis Ngannou
Chris Taylor - November 24, 2018
A heavyweight tilt between perennial division contenders Curtis Blaydes and Francis Ngannou headlined today’s UFC Beijing event. The bout served as a rematch, as Francis Ngannou and Curtis Blaydes had previously met at UFC Fight Night 86 in April of 2016, with “The Predator” emerging victorious by way of second-round TKO (doctors stoppage).
MMA Community reacts to Francis Ngannou defeating Curtis Blaydes
Chris Taylor - November 24, 2018
A heavyweight collision between perennial division contenders Curtis Blaydes and Francis Ngannou headlined tonight’s UFC Beijing event. The bout served as a rematch, as Francis Ngannou had previously defeated Curtis Blaydes via second-round TKO (doctors stoppage) at UFC Fight Night 86 in April of 2016.
Curtis Blaydes will 'never, ever' stop using his wrestling, and there's a good reason for that
Tom Taylor - November 23, 2018
Curtis Blaydes, who is set to rematch Francis Ngannou in the main event of Saturday’s UFC Beijing card, is easily one of the best wrestlers in the UFC heavyweight division. And if things go according to plan, he believes he’ll retire as the best wrestler in the history of the division. “If I’m not the best right now, today, I will be the best by the time I end my career,” Blaydes told MMAjunkie this week. “Because I’m going to end my career with at least 75 career takedowns.”
Curtis Blaydes vows to break heavyweight record in UFC Beijing fight with Francis Ngannou
Tom Taylor - November 21, 2018
On Saturday night in Beijing, China (early Saturday morning in North America), streaking UFC heavyweight contender Curtis Blaydes will look to avenge the lone loss of his MMA career as he takes on former UFC heavyweight title challenger Francis Ngannou. Heading into this fight, Curtis Blaydes has the opportunity to tie or even break a pretty impressive record in the UFC heavyweight division.
UFC Beijing: Curtis Blaydes vs. Francis Ngannou 2 fight card
Tom Taylor - November 20, 2018
The next UFC event on the calendar is UFC Beijing, which goes down this Saturday morning in Beijing, China. This UFC Beijing card will be headlined by a heavyweight rematch between top contender Curtis Blaydes and former title challenger Francis Ngannou.
Curtis Blaydes questions Francis Ngannou's headspace ahead of battle in Beijing
Tom Taylor - November 13, 2018
The year 2018 has not been kind to Francis Ngannou. Though the hulking Cameroonian-French heavyweight began the year as perhaps the UFC’s most hyped fighter, he was then dominated in his anticipated title fight with Stipe Miocic, and defeated by Derrick Lewis in one of the most disappointing fights ever. After this tough run in 2018, Ngannou’s next opponent Curtis Blaydes isn’t sure what to expect when they meet in the main event of UFC Beijing on November 24. “He’s probably in a hole right now,” Curtis Blaydes said during a recent media scrum (via MMAjunkie). “0-2 after being the hotshot? That’s got to be a dark, dark place. I want him to be his best. I don’t want any excuses out of his camp or the fans or the company. I want him at his best. I’ll beat him 10 out of 10 times.”
EXCLUSIVE | Curtis Blaydes says UFC Beijing opponent Francis Ngannou is "unwilling to change"
Tom Taylor - September 3, 2018
On November 24, in the main event of UFC Beijing, surging UFC heavyweight contender Curtis Blaydes will attempt to avenge the only loss his career, as he battles former title challenger Francis Ngannou. Since their first fight, which went down in April of 2013, both Curtis Blaydes and Francis Ngannou have realized mountainous success in the perilous UFC heavyweight division. More recently, however, Blaydes has emerged as a bona fide title contender, while Ngannou has slipped into a bit of a rough patch.
BJPENN.COM Radio Ep. 94 // Javier Mendez | Dominick Reyes | Curtis Blaydes
Jason Kindschy - September 2, 2018
BJPENN.COM Radio is back, Penn Nation! We kick things off with head coach and founder of the American Kickboxing Academy, Javier Mendez. Grooming talented athletes into champions for over a decade, Javier is undoubtedly one of MMA’s most passionate coaches. We’ll talk shop with Mendez and get his take on several of his star pupils. You’ll hear an update on the future of Cain Velasquez, Luke Rockhold’s relationship with AKA, Daniel Cormier’s plans before retirement, and much more.
Curtis Blaydes says he doesn't consider "juice head" Brock Lesnar a legitimate MMA fighter
Tom Taylor - August 30, 2018
Curtis Blaydes wants the next crack at UFC heavyweight champion Daniel Cormier. If it weren’t for the upcoming UFC return of WWE star Brock Lesnar, he might just have gotten it. Unfortunately for Blaydes, Lesnar is returning, and when he does, he’ll jump the heavyweight contendership line and get the next shot at Cormier. In the meantime, Blaydes will rematch the only man he’s lost to, former title challenger Francis Ngannou.
Curtis Blaydes vs. Francis Ngannou rematch official for UFC Beijing main event
Tom Taylor - August 27, 2018
The UFC’s big debut in Beijing, China will have a suitably big main event. In keeping with recent reports, the card will be headlined by heavyweight rematch between top contenders Curtis Blaydes and Francis Ngannou. The UFC made the bout official on Twitter on Sunday evening.
Curtis Blaydes wants Stipe Miocic, then Daniel Cormier, then Jon Jones
Tom Taylor - August 10, 2018
If all goes according to the UFC’s plan, the next crack at UFC heavyweight champion Daniel Cormier will go to former champion and WWE star Brock Lesnar. While a Cormier vs. Lesnar fight is almost certain to do big business, it’s caused a bit of a headache for the UFC’s top heavyweight contenders, such as Curtis Blaydes. Blaydes, like many members of the MMA community, feels that Lesnar doesn’t belong anywhere near a UFC heavyweight title shot. Lesnar, of course, hasn’t won a fight since 2010, when he choked out Shane Carwin. Though there was briefly a win over Mark Hunt on his record in 2016, that win was overturned when he tested positive for a banned substance.
Curtis Blaydes: UFC will "take every opportunity to not give me a title shot"
Tom Taylor - July 20, 2018
Curtis Blaydes is arguably the top contender in the UFC heavyweight division. Unfortunately for him, it looks like the next shot at reigning heavyweight champ Daniel Cormier will go to former champion Brock Lesnar. Blaydes has previously shared his disappointment with Lesnar’s cutting the contendership line. That being said, he’s starting to get used to this sort of treatment.
Curtis Blaydes points out a key difference between himself and Brock Lesnar
Tom Taylor - July 10, 2018
News that former UFC heavyweight champion Brock Lesnar will get the next shot at new heavyweight champ Daniel Cormier generated backlash from a big portion of the MMA community. A giant segment of fans were immediately furious that Lesnar had been granted the opportunity, despite the fact that he hasn’t legitimately won a fight since 2010. Of all the people unhappy about Lesnar’s title shot, however, it’s arguable that none are quite as ticked as Curtis Blaydes. Blaydes, after all, could well have gotten the next heavyweight title shot had Lesnar not cut the line. Since news of Lesnar’s return was announced, Blaydes has shared his frustration on social media on several occasions.
Curtis Blaydes fully confident he would beat Brock Lesnar, 'I shouldn't have to make my case'
Drake Riggs - July 9, 2018
If there was someone that was most affected by UFC 226 without actually being involved in the event, it was probably Curtis Blaydes. After earning the biggest win of his career at UFC 225 by knocking out Alistair Overeem in devastating fashion, Blaydes had seemingly lined himself up for the possible next title shot.
EXCLUSIVE | Curtis Blaydes states his case for a title shot and sounds off on Greg Hardy and 'fake fighter' Brock Lesnar
Jordan Colbert - July 1, 2018
Curtis Blaydes cemented himself as one of the top contenders in the UFC heavyweight division at UFC 225 with a dominant and brutal TKO win over Alistair Overeem. Post-win, Blaydes set the record straight. It’s title shot or bust for the No. 2 ranked fighter in the division. In an exclusive interview with BJPenn.com, Blaydes dished on this and much more. Check it out below!
Francis Ngannou is open to future rematch with Curtis Blaydes
Tom Taylor - June 29, 2018
Curtis Blaydes has looked unstoppable of late, but his rise through the UFC ranks has not been entirely flawless. In his first UFC bout, Blaydes experienced a tough, doctor stoppage loss to Francis Ngannou — and it’s a fight he’s wanted to get back ever since. “I’m not really a fan of short camps or late notice fights,” Blaydes explained on a recent episode of BJPENN.COM Radio. “I won’t blame my loss to Ngannou on anything besides he was a better man that day, but I do feel I would have been better prepared had I had a full six to eight week camp as opposed to the three weeks I was given.”