MIAMI – Curtis Blaydes understands the comparisons between him and UFC 299 opponent Jailton Almeida, however he thinks the similarities finish outdoors of the grappling division.
“That’s the fantastic thing about being multifaceted,” Blaydes advised MMA Junkie and different reporters at a pre-fight information convention Wednesday. “I don’t have one path to victory. I can win on the toes. I can grapple. I’ve all the time proven I’ve the ability to knock guys out. I’m very assured I can out-show him on the toes.”
Blaydes (17-4 MMA, 12-4 UFC) and Almeida (20-2 MMA, 6-0 UFC) have been alleged to compete in November in Brazil. Nonetheless, Blaydes withdrew as a result of two ankle accidents. He watched intently on battle evening as Almeida dragged substitute Derrick Lewis all around the canvas.
Regardless of the dominant efficiency, Blaydes acknowledges the issues that weren’t on show. Blaydes stated Almeida’s strict deal with grappling reminds him of a former UFC welterweight title challenger.
“He did what I believed he was going to do, take him down,” Blaydes stated. “I didn’t suppose he’d need to hang around on the toes in any respect. He hasn’t actually proven something with footwork and palms. He’s a conventional jiu-jitsu man. He’s like a heavyweight model of Demian Maia.”
The perceived flaw in Almeida just isn’t distinctive to simply him, in keeping with Blaydes, who sees the heavyweight division as a complete struggling handily with takedowns.
“It’s loads of guys,” Blaydes stated. “A variety of guys at heavyweight discover one ability and so they’re like, ‘Oh, that works.’ They don’t develop. They don’t increase on it. Why would they? He had a lot success. I don’t suppose he’s going to return out and, oh, he’s going to need to strike now. Similar to you stated, the teep into the blast double leg, it really works as a result of these different heavyweights have by no means sprawled of their life. I sprawl on a regular basis. I suppose we’ll see.”
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