Curtis Blaydes respects Jairzinho Rozenstruik despite pre-fight trash talk

Curtis Blaydes stated that he respects Jairzinho Rozenstruik despite all the words and behavior from Rozenstruik before their fight. Blaydes explained it would be insincere and hypocritical to call Rozenstruik disrespectful names because "the motherfucker can fight." While Blaydes admits he doesn't like Rozenstruik's personality or antics outside the cage, he has full respect for him as an opponent inside the Octagon. Blaydes rhetorically asked how he could not respect someone who broke his orbital bone. The heavyweight contender emphasized the distinction between personal feelings and professional respect for fighting ability.