Curtis Blaydes is a ‘big fan’ of women’s MMA, but not of fighters who really don’t are entitled to roster place

Curtis Blaydes needs to make a single factor flawlessly obvious: He’s absolutely a lover of women’s MMA.

That impression was dropped in April when UFC heavyweight contender engaged in a again-and-forth with many well known woman athletes. Immediately after Blaydes made a social media post with regards to fighters who “complain and gripe about getting overly sexualized by followers/media but then at the same time numerous of them are profiting off said sexualization thru media endorsements, superior profile placement on struggle playing cards, and overall reputation which sales opportunities to several other economical opportunities,” he was called out by vets Pearl Gonzalez and Paige VanZant, whom he named as illustrations in support of his argument.

Blaydes explained at the end of the working day, his challenge with women’s MMA applies to male fighters just as quickly.

“I love observing the best girls get in there and set on large shows of preventing,” Blaydes informed MMA Fighting. “We just observed UFC 248, Joanna [Jedrzejczyk] and [Zhang] Weili, that was just one of the ideal fights I have at any time observed irrespective of gender. That was a person of the greatest performances I have seen ever. The back and forth, the higher IQ tactics, the counters, the movement, I like that stuff.

“But just like there is dudes in the men’s division I really feel really do not definitely do a good work symbolizing MMA, [and] I come to feel they really don’t deserve a roster place. I’m not dropping names, but there are dudes who do not should have it and there are ladies who do not. It’s equal opportunity.”

Just as he mentioned in his initial write-up, Blaydes is not knocking anybody’s hustle when it will come to making revenue in the sport. But he ultimately thinks a person’s skill established and resume need to establish who receives to continue to keep a roster location in the world’s biggest MMA advertising.

“I would like I had the chance to get into the UFC based mostly on anything at all aside from my ability in the octagon,” Blaydes discussed. “I desire, but I really do not have that option. I have to get in the gymnasium and perfect my craft and go out there and beat anyone. Your file need to be indicative of a top [world-class] fighter. Being in the UFC with a 6-5 document or 5-4, it doesn’t glance like you belong in the UFC.

“After viewing some of these fights, the ability degree is not there. They are making use of the exact same combo above and more than and in excess of, and it’s not successful. You never have a system B. You have one particular combo and you’ve been fighting for eight yrs. You ought to have 1 additional than combo right after 8 years in MMA. There are a large amount of women like that. They have a person talent set, a person go and I get them signing with the UFC and I get them having paid. I believe all those places would go to other ladies, but they’re not as marketable I guess.”

Blaydes seems at a activity like football as the perfect instance where the talent is the only detail that matters when a roster location is attained. The way he sees it, marketability is terrific, but that just cannot trump expertise when it will come to the UFC.

“The NFL does not do that,” Blaydes mentioned. “That’s one factor I adore about the NFL If you simply cannot enjoy, they’re not heading to pay you. They are heading to launch you. They enjoy executing that. If you are unable to do the most important issue you’re meant to do, which is combat. If you’re not excellent at that part, why am I having to pay you money?

“That’s not me hating on women’s MMA. I enjoy a very good battle regardless of the body weight, irrespective of the gender. If they’re very good, they’re heading to set on a fantastic, thrilling, entertaining performance and I’m likely to enjoy it. There are a ton of ladies who do that. I never know exactly where every person is acquiring this misconception that I’m towards women’s MMA result in I’m not.”