ESPN’s Ariel Helwani broke the news after talking to UFC sources. According to Helwani, the Heavyweight bout is set to headline the UFC event scheduled to take place on February 20th. There are no other fights or venue announced for the event at the moment.
The duel between Blaydes and Lewis has been receiving a lot of attention since it could potentially determine the next UFC heavyweight title contender. The current titleholder, Stipe Miocic, will face Francis Ngannou later this year.
However, another possibility for the weight class comes with the inclusion of former Light Heavyweight champion Jon Jones in the division. Jones’ first fight would most likely be for the Heavyweight title.
Curtis Blaydes and Lewis were supposed to walk into the octagon last November. However, Blaydes tested positive for COVID-19, a day ahead of the bout, forcing UFC to cancel the match and promote the fight between Anthony Smith versus Devin Clark as the night’s main event.
Curtis Blaydes dismisses potential fight with Jon Jones
Curtis Blaydes currently occupies the second position in the UFC Heavyweight rankings. When asked about a possible matchup with Jon Jones, who had upgraded weight classes, Blaydes diminished the chances of the fight actually happening.
The issue for Curtis Blaydes involves money. ‘Razor’ does not see a reason to fight someone he considers “one of the greatest fighters ever” for the same money he gets to face other regular heavyweight contenders.
Blaydes is certain that if he beats Derrick Lewis in their upcoming duel, he will be set to have a title shot, be it against Miocic or Ngannou.
Razor also believes that fighting Jones before a title shot would only put all of his work aside. Unless UFC offers him “a lot of money” to enter the octagon against Jones, Blaydes would prefer to remain with his Heavyweight title chances.
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