Don’t think that just every UFC heavyweight contender out there is jumping at the bit to fight UFC superstar Jon Jones next. Jones, the longtime UFC light heavyweight champion, vacated his 205-pound belt in 2020 to move up to the heavyweight ranks. But at least one of the division’s top-rated contenders revealed there would need to be a lot more than just the chance to face Jones to consider if he was offered the megafight.
“I would need a bunch more money,” Curtis Blaydes told Heavy.
Blaydes vs. Lewis on February 20
Blaydes is currently the No. 2-ranked contender to UFC heavyweight champion Stipe Miocic’s throne. The 29-year-old’s next fight is against No. 4-ranked bulldozer Derrick “The Black Beast” Lewis.
Blaydes vs. Lewis was originally scheduled to be the main event of a UFC Fight Night card on November 28 but the fight had to be postponed due to COVID-19.
Now, UFC Fight Night: Blaydes vs. Lewis is set for February 20.
You can watch all the action live on ESPN+.
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Blaydes Explains Condition for Fighting Jones
Don’t misunderstand him. Blaydes told Heavy that he’s excited about Jones entering the division.
“I think it adds a lot more eyes. He’s Jon Jones. He’s earned all the accolades. He earned all the praise, and he’s also earned a lot of the criticism. But having a guy like Jon in the division just brings a lot more eyes which is always good. So I think it’s a good thing,” Blaydes said.
Still, if the UFC does end up wanting to pair Jones against Blaydes sometime soon, the streaking heavyweight contender believes the company would also need to up his pay for that fight.
According to Blaydes, his current UFC contract pays him $100,000 to show up on fight night, and another $100,000 if he wins.
He would want a lot more for facing Jones.
“I’m not doing it for 100 and 100,” Blaydes said. “Everyone thinks I don’t want to fight Jon, but I don’t have a problem fighting Jon, just not on my current pay scale.”
For Blaydes, any potential fight against Jones comes down to one big thing, at least in his mind.
“You don’t fight a GOAT for 100 grand,” Blaydes said. “I would need a new contract for that fight for sure.”
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Blaydes Wants Heavyweight Title Shot
Blaydes told Heavy he hopes that beating Lewis puts him in line for a future title shot.
But Blaydes understands his title shot is going to have to come after No. 1-ranked contender Francis Ngannou gets his chance.
Blaydes’ only two UFC losses were knockout losses to Ngannou, the division’s top contender.
“I know I’m not going to get the immediate title shot because I know Ngannou has earned that, and I’m not going to be disrespectful,” Blaydes said.
“But I feel like I should get the winner of Ngannou vs. [Miocic].”
Still, Blaydes understands that Jones moving up to the heavyweight division could complicate things and that minimally it’s going to give UFC officials plenty to think about in terms of how title shots should be scheduled.
While UFC president Dana White believes Jones will face the winner of UFC 260: Miocic vs. Ngannou 2 next, Jones revealed recently that he wants to be sure he’s getting paid what he believes he’s worth for the fight.
Whatever happens on that front, Blaydes said none of those things would keep him from focusing on what he can control.
So if Blaydes beats Lewis on Saturday night, then has to wait in line behind Jones, the American will simply remain focused on improving his game.
“I’ll be ready,” Blaydes said. “I’ll be waiting.”
But don’t expect Blaydes to jump at the chance to fight Jones next unless he’s getting paid a lot more than what his contract says right now to do it.
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Showdown vs. Jon Jones: ‘I Would Need a Bunch More Money’