A Midsummer Night’s (Wet) Dream

Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images

I have great news for all the grappling fans in our audience and absolutely terrifying news for everyone else. Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) heavyweight contender Curtis Blaydes is coming soon to a wet dream near you, thanks to the promotion’s untimely shrinkage.

And as a special bonus, he’s bringing fellow heavyweight bruiser Alexander Volkov.

“I think it’s a grappler’s wet dream,” Blaydes told MMA Junkie. “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 is hoping to blast his way into title contender when he collides with Volkov in the UFC Fight Night main event on June 20, contested inside the UFC APEX facility in Las Vegas, Nevada, airing exclusively on ESPN+.

“I think it’s your classic grappler vs. striker, although I can strike also,” Blaydes continued. “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.”

Blaydes (13-2, 1 NC) is riding a three-fight win streak, which includes his technical knockout victory over former champion, Junior dos Santos, at UFC Fight Night 166 back in January. “Razor” has only been defeated by heavyweight power puncher, Francis Ngannou, and has otherwise been perfect inside the Octagon.

Volkov (31-7) rebounded from an upset loss to Derrick Lewis to hand Greg Hardy the first defeat of his professional mixed martial arts (MMA) career. “Drago” has won seven of his last eight and stands at No. 7 in the official rankings, four spots below Blaydes at No. 3.

To see the rest of the June 20 fight card and line up click here.