Curtis Blaydes is set to compete for the interim heavyweight championship at UFC 304 against Tom Aspinall on July 27 in Manchester, England. Despite the interim title and unconventional circumstances, Blaydes remains unbothered, stating that odd matchups are typical in UFC history.
Ideally, Blaydes would prefer to fight Jon Jones in a title unification bout, but he accepts the current situation as part of the unpredictable nature of the sport.
A unique aspect of this fight is its scheduled time. Although the event is in the U.K., the traditional pay-per-view start time of 10 p.m. ET will be maintained, translating to an early morning fight in Manchester.
This time difference, with the fight occurring around 4 a.m. local time, makes the event feel less like a typical title fight to Blaydes. He highlights that this timing decision is unusual and compares it unfavorably to how other high-profile fighters, like Conor McGregor, are scheduled.
Blaydes acknowledges the unusual timing but remains focused on the financial reward and the opportunity itself. Despite the early hour, he emphasizes that the title fight purse is his main concern.
He downplays the impact of the time on his performance, noting that the significant payout is a primary motivator and that adjusting to the timing is part of his professional responsibility.
In preparation for the fight, Blaydes plans to follow his usual routine without making special adjustments for the time zone change. He will arrive in Manchester on July 21 and proceed through fight week as he typically would.
Blaydes expresses confidence in his ability to overcome any fatigue, asserting that the excitement and significance of a title fight should be sufficient to keep him motivated and focused.
Blaydes has long awaited this title opportunity, having come close in 2021 before a knockout loss to Derrick Lewis. Since then, he has won four of his last five fights, securing his place for this important rematch with Aspinall.
He approaches this fight with the same mentality he brings to all his matches, acknowledging the ever-present pressure to avoid losing or being knocked out, but not feeling any additional stress because it is a title fight. For Blaydes, it’s about maintaining his usual preparation and mindset.
