Curtis Blaydes wishes he could have done more against Jairzinho Rozenstruik.
Blaydes (15-3 MMA, 10-3 UFC) shut down Rozenstruik (12-3 MMA, 6-3 UFC) in the pay-per-view main card of UFC 266 on Saturday, outgrappling the accomplished kickboxer over the course of three rounds.
It wasn’t one of Blaydes’ most memorable performances, and after having the most success in Round 3, the 30-year-old heavyweight contender admits he could have closed out the fight in a more emphatic fashion.
“Not every fight is gonna be fireworks, sometimes you’ve gotta take what your opponent gives you and make the smart descions. I’m happy with the W but Myself and my team know what I’m capable of and I should’ve found a finish in that 3rd round. We’ll get back to work soon and begin ironing out the kinks and be ready for the next obstacle. #ufc #razorblaydes #heavyweight #backinthewinnerscircle”
But perhaps that’s easier said than done since Blayes’ right eye was swollen shut and he was having trouble seeing out of it in Round 3. The record holder for most takedowns landed in UFC history was able to rebound from his knockout loss to Derrick Lewis and has now won five of his past six.
In his in cage post-fight interview, Blaydes called out the winner or loser of reigning champion Francis Ngannou and interim champ Ciryl Gane, former champ Stipe Miocic and former light heavyweight king Jon Jones.
