Curtis Blaydes is siding with Alex Pereira ahead of the former light heavyweight champion’s jump to heavyweight against Ciryl Gane for interim gold.
Pereira vacated his 205-pound belt to move up and is scheduled to face Gane for the interim heavyweight title in the UFC Freedom 250 co-main event on June 14 at The White House.
"I'm going to go Alex," Blaydes said, backing Pereira despite the Brazilian’s lack of heavyweight experience. "I know Gane is a heavyweight, and we haven't seen Alex at heavyweight yet, but I feel like he hits like one. I feel like he brings the pressure like a heavyweight. He doesn't go backwards. That's what Gane likes to do. So I think Alex will eventually be able to square him up along the cage and hit him with a heavy hook or a straight right."
Blaydes also weighed in on Tom Aspinall, who underwent double eye surgery and needed time off, which opened the door for Pereira to get the opportunity against Gane. "I think he has a place as long as he's healthy, but the health is the question," Blaydes said, adding that he hopes Aspinall’s recovery goes smoothly.
"I hope he comes back. You hate to see a great athlete lose their position because of injury, so I'm rooting (for him). I hope the eye rehab is going well."
Blaydes, who has fought Aspinall twice, is set for his own assignment next, facing controversial rising contender Josh Hokit on Saturday's UFC 327 main card at Kaseya Center.
