Few fighters have been able to handle Curtis Blaydes’ pressure.
Blaydes (13-2 MMA, 8-2 UFC) takes on Alexander Volkov in the headliner of the UFC’s June 20 event at UFC Apex in Las Vegas, where he will look to continue cementing his place as a top contender.
It’s no secret that Blaydes, the record holder for most takedowns landed in UFC heavyweight history, will want to take this fight to the mat.
Despite showing off his striking when he stopped Junior dos Santos in January, Blaydes will look to resort to his bread and butter against Volkov.
“I think it’s your classic grappler vs. striker, although I can strike also,” Blaydes told MMA Junkie. “I definitely prefer to grapple. I know he’s got long legs. I think our reach is equal; we’re both 80 inches long, so I don’t think that will be a factor, but I know he likes to be long. He likes to establish the distance with his teeps and his other kicks, so I know he doesn’t want to be in the clinching zone.
“I know he doesn’t want to be in that grappling type of zone, and that’s where I’m going to put him. I’m going to pressure him. I’m going to put his back heel against the cage and just make him react to my pumps and high-lows and just go from there.”
The fight will be contested in the 25-foot cage, which would give Blaydes the advantage when trying to implement his game plan.
“I think it’s a grappler’s wet dream,” Blaydes said. “Because the smaller guys that need more, guys who like to use their movement, their footwork to create space and stuff, there’s not a whole lot of time to get used to the new, smaller cage, so I think it definitely favors guys like me. Guys who want to engage early and get into the grappling.”
Blaydes expects his approach to eventually wear on Volkov, just like it has with plenty of his previous opponents.
“I doubt it goes the full five; I honestly doubt it,” Blaydes said. “There’s gonna be a finish in there somewhere. It just depends on how long it takes me to break him.”
