Bellator bound? Curtis Blaydes has refreshing (and unapologetic) take on UFC fighter pay

UFC heavyweight up-and-comer, Curtis Blaydes, is coming off the biggest win of his mixed martial arts (MMA) career after turning away Mark Hunt in the UFC 221 pay-per-view (PPV) co-main event last weekend in Perth, Australia (watch the highlights here).

As a result, “Razor” is now one step closer to contending for the heavyweight strap.

That might be a big deal to most aspiring 265-pounders, but Blaydes isn’t trying to become a household name. He just wants to show up and bust some heads — and get paid handsomely in the process.

Call him Big Heathen.

And if he can do it by recycling cans on the Bellator roster, then he’ll gladly have that conversation with Scott Coker and Co. after his UFC deal expires, which as it stands, has just one fight remaining.

Blaydes breaks it down for MMA Junkie:

“They’ve been offering guys fat, fat contracts, and those heavyweights aren’t nearly as good as the ones in the UFC. So the enticement is there – lesser competition for more money. I don’t care if no one ever learns my name, as long as my bank account is full. Because I’m not getting hit in the face just because I like it. I know there are guys who enjoy getting hit in the face. I don’t. It pisses me off. I’m in it for the money. I don’t feel bad about that at all. I get why [Francis Ngannou] got the hype train, and I get why I’m not getting the hype train. I don’t have the eight-pack. I don’t look to stand and bang with my chin high and my hands below my waist. And I’m an American – and there are over 100-plus Americans in the UFC. I’m sure once I show the UFC I deserve it, I’ll get my due money too. I’m only 26. Most guys my age aren’t making half what I’m making, so I’m fine with that. For now.”

Blaydes wants a “decent offer” from UFC prior to his last fight.

Prior to knocking around the “Super Samoan” at UFC Perth, Blaydes (9-1, 1 NC) put together four straight wins, one of which was overturned by the Texas Athletic Commission after he flunked for weed.

Smoke Water under the bridge.

In fact, his only loss to date came against top contender Francis Ngannou at UFC Fight Night 86 back in April 2016, a technical knockout loss that occurred when the cageside doctor rules Blaydes medically unfit to continue.

It will be interesting to see how UFC matches him up (as well as how it plans to pay him) moving forward, but the heavyweight division is in dire need of young, talented contenders, so let’s keep our fingers crossed.

For much more on UFC 221 click here.