The next hurdle Curtis Blaydes needs to clear, in his path towards a title shot, is going to be the ridiculously, powerful, Derrick Lewis. But, it sounds like the heavyweight contender is feeling pretty, pretty confident as he gets set to face the feared slugger.
Blaydes says Lewis is “very beatable”
The explosive wrestler has been booked to fight Lewis on November 28th, at a UFC card that has yet to receive an official venue. Blaydes (14-2) has been scheduled for the fight following his one-sided, decision win over Alexander Volkov in June, which followed his TKO win over Junior dos Santos in January.
The victory over Volkov was the fourth straight for Blaydes.
Lewis (24-7), meanwhile, took out Aleksei Oleinik just last month, and he’s won three straight. So, suffice to say, the upcoming bout is a pivotal one for both contenders.
Well, recently Blaydes spoke with The Score, and while discussing the upcoming bout, “Razor” said this (quotes via Bloody Elbow).
“I’ve been calling him out for almost two years now, so eventually I knew it was going to happen,” Blaydes said. “He can only hide for so long.
“There isn’t anyone else worth a fight,” said Blaydes. “I’m not gonna take on a guy ranked eighth or 10th or whatever.”
“He has to fight me,” he continued. “Who else would it be? There’s no one else for him to fight. … Unless [Lewis] wants to take on a guy ranked eighth, ninth, or 10th, I’m the only guy worth it.”
And, in addition, the #2 ranked Blaydes had this to say about his bout with the #5 positioned, Lewis.
“He’s a great match-up, he’s ranked right below me, and he’s very beatable.”
Reaction?
Now, if you’ve followed Lewis at all, you know that he’s capable of ending and or turning around a fight with just one shot. Just ask the aforementioned Volkov.
He also has underrated grappling. Case in point, against Oleinik, Lewis was able to survive some early choke attempts from the veteran fighter, who is one of the best submission artists the game has ever seen.
But, when you consider Blaydes’s wrestling pedigree, his speed and improving striking, chances are he is feeling pretty good about his chances against Lewis.
The betting lines also have Blaydes as the favorite. Right now, the wrestler is carrying odds ranging from -280 to -290.
More About:MMA MMA Frenzy Sports