In the Clinch: Blaydes is Big Favorite vs. Daukaus, UFC Fight Night 205 – It’s March Madness, UFC style, Saturday in Columbus, Ohio.
The No. 7-seeded Ohio State Buckeyes were eliminated in the second round of the NCAA men’s tournament this year, losing to the No. 2 Villanova Wildcats, so their run is no more. But unlike the Buckeyes, No. 9 UFC heavyweight Chris Daukaus (12-4-0), 32, gets a second chance on Saturday to enter the top five if he can prevail over favorite and No. 4 Curtis Blaydes (15-3-0, 1NC).
Blaydes, 31, is looking to keep his spot after taking a decision over Jairzinho Rozenstruik at UFC 266 last September. The thing about Blaydes is that although his strength is wrestling, he has a decent striking game that he can use to get the takedown. It will be interesting to see if he can take out Daukaus. Maybe he’ll take it to the ground and get the tap, or use his cardio to grind out a decision.
Blaydes said he will be ready for anything from Daukaus at media day, a wise outlook if he wants to emerge victorious. But he has been stopped all three times in his losses, something that Daukaus and his team are likely aware of.
Daukaus is the police officer turned UFC fighter, a feel-good story that is still unfolding. He suffered his first loss in his last fight against Derrick Lewis in his last bout, but in talking to reporters today, he feels pretty good about getting the knockout. He was in “a bad place” after the loss, but thanks to his family and his team, he used it as motivation to return to glory Saturday.
We saw Tai Tuisava leapfrog to No. 3 with a big win against Lewis at UFC 271 in February, so there’s no reason a Daukaus finish can’t do the same. Meanwhile, Blaydes is fighting to keep his ranking, no small feat in the heavyweight division.
Will it be Blaydes or Daukaus who stays in the hunt for the Big Dance on Saturday?
In the Clinch: Blaydes is Big Favorite vs. Daukaus, UFC Fight Night 205 – More Resources
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Curtis Blaydes
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