Curtis Blayes “Honestly” Doubts Alexander Volkov Fight Will go The Distance
By FCF Staff
Curtis Blaydes is booked to fight Alexander Volkov on June 20th, and the heavyweight contender sounds very confident that his wrestling game will rule the day.
The heavyweights are scheduled to fight in the headliner of the upcoming card, which will take place at the Apex Facility in Las Vegas. While talking with MMA Junkie recently about the fight, Blaydes had this to say.
“I think it’s your classic grappler vs. striker, although I can strike also. I definitely prefer to grapple. I know he’s got long legs. I think our reach is equal; we’re both 80 inches long, so I don’t think that will be a factor, but I know he likes to be long…
“I think it’s a grappler’s wet dream,” Blaydes said. “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.”
“I doubt it goes the full five; I honestly doubt it,” Blaydes said. “There’s gonna be a finish in there somewhere. It just depends on how long it takes me to break him.”
The 29-year-old Blaydes (13-2) is coming off a stoppage win over former champ Junior dos Santos in January, and the only fighter to defeat him in his last five bouts is Francis Ngannou.
Volkov (31-7), meanwhile, scored a decision win over Greg Hardy in his last fight, which took place in November. The only fighter to defeat the 31-year-old in his last five contests is Derrick Lewis.