Curtis Blaydes Fighting Below His Rank: Why the UFC’s Top Heavyweight is Taking a Step Back

When I heard Curtis Blaydes was booked for his next fight, I nearly spat out my coffee. Blaydes has been a permanent fixture in the UFC heavyweight top five for years now, yet his next opponent has left many fans scratching their heads and asking: what’s really going on here?

Blaydes, with his devastating wrestling and improved striking, has been knocking on the title door for what feels like forever. So why is one of the division’s most consistent performers suddenly fighting down the rankings?

The Curious Case of Curtis Blaydes’ Next Fight

Curtis “Razor” Blaydes isn’t just another heavyweight – he’s a 6’4″, 260-pound problem that few fighters want to deal with. His wrestling credentials are elite, his ground-and-pound devastating, and he’s been steadily improving his striking with each outing.

Yet here we are in 2023, and Blaydes is taking a fight that seems to offer more risk than reward. The UFC’s heavyweight division has always been strange, but this booking takes the cake.

A Step Down the Ladder

For a fighter who’s beaten names like Jairzinho Rozenstruik, Chris Daukaus, and Alexander Volkov, this next booking feels like a lateral move at best – and a step backward at worst.

Instead of facing someone ranked above him or getting that elusive title shot, Blaydes is facing someone who, while talented, doesn’t have the ranking or name value to significantly boost his standing.

Insert image of Curtis Blaydes after his recent victory

Why Would Blaydes Accept This Fight?

I’ve been covering MMA long enough to know there are usually three reasons why top fighters take fights against lower-ranked opponents:

• Limited options – Other top contenders are booked or injured
• Staying active – Long layoffs can kill momentum and paychecks
• UFC pressure – Sometimes saying no isn’t really an option

In Blaydes’ case, it’s likely a combination of all three. The heavyweight division is currently in a holding pattern with Jon Jones as champion, and Blaydes can’t afford to sit on the sidelines waiting for the perfect opportunity.

The Risk/Reward Calculation

Let’s be honest – this is a high-risk, questionable-reward situation for Blaydes. If he wins, people will say “well, he was supposed to win.” If he loses? His title aspirations take a massive hit.

This is the cruel mathematics of MMA career management – sometimes you have to take what’s offered just to stay relevant.

What This Says About UFC’s Heavyweight Division

The booking reveals something telling about the current state of the UFC’s big boy division. With Jon Jones finally claiming the belt and potential super-fights looming (Stipe? Tom Aspinall?), the typical contender progression has been thrown into disarray.

Fighters like Blaydes – who in any normal meritocracy would be fighting for gold – are left taking fights that maintain their position rather than advance it.

The Potential Upside

It’s not all doom and gloom. If Blaydes can secure an impressive finish – especially a highlight-reel knockout – it could actually accelerate his path to a title shot. The UFC loves nothing more than a fighter who creates memorable moments.

This could be Blaydes’ chance to add something spectacular to his resume – something that makes fans demand to see him fight for the belt.

What Fans Are Saying

The MMA community’s reaction has been mixed. Some fans see this as the UFC disrespecting Blaydes, while others view it as an opportunity for him to showcase his skills and remind everyone why he’s a threat to anyone in the division.

One thing’s certain – people will be watching to see if Blaydes makes a statement or if his decision to take this fight backfires.

What’s Next for Blaydes?

Win or lose, Blaydes remains one of the most skilled heavyweights on the planet. His ability to blend wrestling with increasingly dangerous striking makes him a nightmare matchup for almost anyone.

The heavyweight division moves slowly – fighters have longer careers and fewer fights per year – but at 32, Blaydes still has time to make his championship run. This fight might be a detour, but the destination remains the same.

The Takeaway

Sometimes in MMA, the path to the top isn’t a straight line. Curtis Blaydes has been a model of consistency in a division known for chaos, yet here he is, taking a fight that feels below his station.

But that’s the fight game – unpredictable, occasionally unfair, and always interesting. Whether this fight proves to be a stepping stone or a stumbling block for Blaydes remains to be seen, but you can bet I’ll be watching closely when he steps into the octagon next.

What do you think about Blaydes’ next fight? Is he making a mistake or playing the long game? Let me know in the comments!

Source: UFC News Network