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Curtis Blaydes, Alistair Overeem react to being bumped from UFC 225 main card to prelims
Heavyweights Curtis Blaydes and Alistair Overeem apparently didn’t get any sort of explanation as to why, but they don’t seem particularly upset over the news their fight has been repositioned from UFC 225’s main card to the featured preliminary-card slot.
After originally being announced as part of UFC 225’s five-bout main card, UFC officials on Saturday revealed some adjustments to the bout order for the June 9 event, which takes place at United Center in Chicago and airs on pay-per-view following prelims on FS1 and UFC Fight Pass.
The most notable of those changes saw Blaydes (9-1 MMA, 4-1 UFC) vs. Overeem (43-16 MMA, 8-5 UFC) shift down the prelims, which is a somewhat perplexing move given its status as a potential heavyweight title eliminator. Yet, another heavyweight bout – between former UFC champ Andrei Arlovski (27-15 MMA, 16-9 UFC) and unbeaten up-and-comer Tai Tuivasa (7-0 MMA, 2-0 UFC) – remains on the main card.
Although fighting on a PPV card carries a certain amount of prestige, there’s a legitimate argument that fighting in the featured prelim spot actually garners more viewers. Blaydes, a 27-year-old Illinois native, didn’t seem particularly bothered by the switch. He said he was not informed ahead of time but decided to look at the positive side of the situation after the news came out (via Instagram):
“I’ve got no idea why the change was made and tbh idc it literally changes nothing, still getting paid and still have a job to do. Only perk is now I get to clock out of work closer to 8 as opposed to like 10ish”
Overeem, No. 3 in the latest USA TODAY Sports/MMAjunkie MMA heavyweight rankings, on the other hand, shared a similar passive reaction, though it would be understandable if the 38-year-old former Strikeforce champ and UFC title challenger was unhappy with the situation.
Overeem has fought only in main event, co-main event and PPV spots for the entirety of his UFC career, which dates back to December 2011. There’s a first time for everything, though, and the fight with No. 9-ranked Blaydes marks “The Reem’s” first trip to the UFC prelims.
However, Overeem sees a perk – especially for his European fans (via Twitter):
For more on UFC 225, check out the UFC Rumors section of the site.
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