Curtis Blaydes has adopted a cautious approach in response to rumors of a potential rematch with Tom Aspinall at UFC 304, acknowledging that he won’t allow his hopes to rise prematurely.
The UFC recently unveiled plans for its return to the UK, scheduling a highly anticipated pay-per-view event at Manchester’s new Co-op Live arena on July 27. Among the speculations swirling around the event is the possibility of Aspinall, the interim heavyweight champion, defending his title, with Blaydes being mentioned as one of his potential opponents.
Blaydes and Aspinall crossed paths previously in 2022, with their bout abruptly halted just 15 seconds in due to an injury sustained by Aspinall. Since then, Aspinall has gone on to achieve a commendable 2-0 record, securing the interim belt with a knockout victory over Sergei Pavlovich.
Curtis Blaydes ‘won’t get hopes up’ over Tom Aspinall rematch at UFC 304 https://t.co/Rah8cpy7zQ
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In contrast, Blaydes has faced a mixed bag of results, tallying a 1-1 record with a loss to Pavlovich followed by a win against Jailton Almeida. Despite the growing speculation surrounding a rematch between Blaydes and Aspinall at UFC 304, the 33-year-old fighter remains pragmatic.
“I learned a while ago, I don’t get my hopes up,” Blaydes told MMA Fighting. “I don’t predict; I hope. It would be nice. Do I believe there’s a path? Do I believe it makes sense? Yeah, but that doesn’t mean it’s going to happen. All I can do is be prepared. I’ll be ready.”
While acknowledging the potential significance of a rematch with Aspinall, Blaydes remains cognizant of the unpredictable nature of matchmaking in the UFC.
“It makes all the sense in the world, but that don’t mean it’s going to happen,” Blaydes remarked. “Would I be shocked if the UFC hit up Brock Lesnar and was like, ‘Do you want to go to England? Do you want to make a lot of money?’ and he said, ‘Yeah’? I would not be shocked if they brought in Brock Lesnar. I would be upset, but I wouldn’t be surprised.”
Should Blaydes find himself facing Aspinall in the UK once again, he appears undeterred by the prospect of fighting in his opponent’s homeland, emphasizing that venue and crowd reactions hold minimal significance once inside the octagon.
Aspinall’s potential title defense against light-heavyweight champion Alex Pereira, along with other rumored matchups involving Ciryl Gane and Leon Edwards, adds further intrigue to the anticipated UFC 304 event. However, criticisms have arisen regarding the event’s start times, which cater primarily to a US audience.
Sarah’s View:
Curtis Blaydes approaches rumors of a potential rematch with Tom Aspinall at UFC 304 with cautious optimism, recognizing the unpredictability of MMA matchmaking. Despite the speculation surrounding the event in the UK, Blaydes remains focused on staying prepared for any opportunity that may arise. Reflecting on his past experiences, Blaydes emphasizes the importance of not getting his hopes up prematurely, understanding that circumstances can quickly change in the dynamic world of professional fighting. While acknowledging the significance of a rematch with Aspinall, Blaydes remains pragmatic, ready to face any challenge that comes his way, whether it be in the UK or elsewhere. As anticipation builds for the UFC 304 event, Blaydes’s grounded approach adds a layer of intrigue to the potential matchups, highlighting the uncertainties inherent in the sport
