UFC Beijing Primer: Daniel Cormier Heaps Praise on Curtis Blaydes While Previewing Saturday’s Headliner

It remains to be seen whether Daniel Cormier ends up facing Curtis Blaydes before the heavyweight champ hangs up the gloves, but it’s clear “DC” is impressed with the rising contender.

Blaydes is preparing to face Francis Ngannou in the headliner of UFC Beijing, which will go down this Saturday. It will mark the second time they have fought, as their 2016 bout was awarded to Ngannou, when Blaydes was deemed unfit to continue (due to swollen shut eye).

Since then, however, Blaydes has gone undefeated in five straight bouts. Ngannou, meanwhile, won four in a row, before he was defeated by now-former champ, Stipe Miocic. Then, in July, Ngannou lost via decision to Derrick Lewis.

You can watch Cormier preview this Saturday’s pivotal fight below.