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.
Curtis Blaydes has made clear that whatever tension exists between himself and Jairzinho Rozenstruik before their fight, it stops at the cage door.
Speaking ahead of the matchup, Blaydes was candid about the dynamic. He acknowledged that he does not care for Rozenstruik's personality or behavior outside the Octagon, but said it would be both insincere and hypocritical to dismiss him as a fighter. His reasoning was blunt: the man broke his orbital bone, so how could he not respect him?
Blaydes, nicknamed "Razor," carries a 19-6 record and sits at number four in the heavyweight division at 35 years old. The American Top Team product stands six-foot-four with an 80-inch reach and brings genuine all-around danger, landing 3.56 significant strikes per minute at 50 percent accuracy while also averaging 5.38 takedowns per 15 minutes — a rare combination of wrestling and striking output at heavyweight.
Rozenstruik, known as "Bigi Boy," is a 38-year-old Surinamese knockout artist out of American Top Team with a 15-6 record. Standing six-foot-two with a 78-inch reach, he lands 3.48 significant strikes per minute at 48 percent accuracy. His game is almost entirely built on his hands — he records no takedowns and no submission attempts, making him a pure stand-up threat.
Why it matters
- Blaydes holds the number four heavyweight ranking, so a win or loss carries direct divisional consequences
- The stylistic contrast is sharp: Blaydes will likely look to wrestle while Rozenstruik's power punching presents a constant finish threat on the feet
- Blaydes's comments draw a deliberate line between personal friction and professional respect, signaling he is not underestimating a fighter who has already hurt him
