Curtis Blaydes wants Derrick Lewis next and believes it would be another dominant win for him.
Following Lewis’ split-decision win over Blagoy Ivanov this past Saturday at UFC 244, Blaydes (12-2 MMA, 7-2 UFC) called out Lewis (22-7 MMA, 13-5 UFC), saying he’d rag doll him and make him tap to takedowns.
Lewis, who snapped a two-fight losing skid with his win over Ivanov, responded by saying Blaydes can take him down all he wants, but he’ll just get up and knock him out.
But Blaydes, who is coming off a dominant second-round TKO win over Shamil Abdurakhimov at UFC 242 in September, says a potential fight with Lewis would be more of the same.
“Just like the last one,” Blaydes told MMA Junkie. “Exact recreation.”
With only two career blemishes – and both to the same man in Francis Ngannou – Blaydes finds himself in a tough spot in the division. With Ngannou waiting in line for a title shot, he has diverted his attention to former heavyweight title challenger Lewis.
And he just wants to sign the contract and get right down to business.
“He’s all talk, and to me he’s just another paycheck,” Blaydes said. “I’m not going to engage in the back-and-forth with him. Once the contract is signed, it’s business as usual. Not looking to become the next Colby (Covington) or Conor (McGregor). Just want to earn a check.”
It appears that heavyweight champion Stipe Miocic will face former light heavyweight and heavyweight champ Daniel Cormier in a trilogy bout, which would put the division and its top contenders on hold until at least the middle of next year.
But top contender Blaydes has no hard feelings. He gets why the trilogy bout is happening.
“Nah, it’s cool. I understand why they’re doing it,” Blaydes said. “Money talks, you know.”