UFC heavyweight Curtis Blaydes is convinced that he presents the greatest challenge for Jon Jones.
At UFC Vegas 71, Blaydes is scheduled to make his comeback, having been out of action since last July when he beat Tom Aspinall. This time around he is facing Sergei Pavlovich, who is on a five-bout-win streak.
Despite this, Blaydes believes he can triumph over anyone, including Jones. The latter’s comeback was characterized by a first-round-submission victory against Ciryl Gane.
While Blaydes sees an opportunity, Jones has bigger things on his mind. Reports suggest that a fight with Stipe Miocic could occur at the back end of the year.
Curtis Blaydes believes he has the tools to test Jon Jones 🧰
More from @DamonMartin 📰 https://t.co/QtnUDARuOL pic.twitter.com/r5T2KuDxO4
— MMAFighting.com (@MMAFighting) April 18, 2023
And yet, that has not stopped Blaydes from talking up his own chances.
“For all those reasons [I’m the toughest matchup]— I have the size, I have the wrestling, I have the athleticism, I have the speed, I have the agility. I have all the things you need to match up with a talent like Jon Jones.
“I know he has the reach, his arms are longer than my reach. I would have to find a way to get in that zone type of range and I might have to use elbows, I might have to get in the clinch but I believe I could take him down,” Blaydes
Nevertheless, the social media response was not so receptive towards Blaydes’ comments.
Social Media Reaction
Thats all good that he named himself Bones’ biggest challenge but we all know Bones gonna walk right through homeboy
— Dante Ross (@DanteRoss) April 18, 2023
If DC in his prime couldn't secure the takedown on Jones I doubt Blades will do any better.
— Be__Easy__ (@Be__Easy__) April 18, 2023
He's got the talking part done.
— @tiling.the.world (@Hearitclearlyg1) April 18, 2023