Curtis Blaydes is pumping the brakes on the rush to bring Gable Steveson to the UFC, openly questioning whether the undefeated prospect is ready for the jump.
Blaydes, who owns a 19-5 professional record with a 14-5 mark in the UFC, is set to face Josh Hokit on the UFC 327 main card at Kaseya Center. Looking at Steveson’s path, the heavyweight contender pointed to potential issues he sees in the 3-0 fighter’s game.
"I think he's a lot better grappler than (Hokit), but he doesn't have the reach, so I feel like that's going to be an issue," Blaydes said. "It hasn't been an issue yet, but you give him a longer guy who knows how to sprawl, that could be a problem."
Steveson is signed to fight Alexandr Romanov at RAF 09 on May 30 at College Park Center in Arlington, Texas, an event that will stream on FOX Nation. Blaydes made it clear he’d prefer to see more development before Steveson enters the Octagon.
"I'd like to see him have to figure that out before he gets to the UFC. I don't want him to be overly rushed and get exposed in the UFC. I guess he believes he's ready, so who knows better than he does? If he believes it, then all power to him."
