Vitor
Petrino wants to close out 2026 against one of the
Ultimate Fighting Championship’s top heavyweights. The
Brazilian has challenged Curtis
Blaydes to a fight at UFC 335,
scheduled for Dec. 12 in Las Vegas, and has already expressed his
interest in the matchup to the promotion. Now, according to
Petrino, all that is missing is a response from the American for
negotiations to move forward.
The matchup would pit two fighters coming off victories against
each other, with both sitting close together in the heavyweight
rankings. Petrino is currently ranked No. 9, while Blaydes sits at
No. 7.
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Petrino wants Curtis Blaydes next after climbing to No. 9 in
the UFC heavyweight rankings
At 29, Petrino is enjoying his best run since joining the UFC. The
Minas Gerais native has remained unbeaten since leaving the light
heavyweight division and moving up to heavyweight. He has won four
straight fights against Austen
Lane, Thomas
Petersen, Steven
Asplund and Serghei
Spivac.
His victory over Spivac in August moved the Brazilian into the
division’s Top 10 and opened the door for matchups against
higher-ranked opponents. Petrino sees Blaydes as the ideal next
challenge.
“Curtis, I’m waiting for you. We’re both coming off wins, we’re
close to each other in the rankings, and this is the fight that
makes sense right now. I’ve already talked to the UFC, and as far
as I’m concerned, everything is settled. I want to fight on
December 12 in Las Vegas. Now it’s up to you to accept the fight. I
respect your history, but I want your spot in the rankings. If you
think you’re going to stay ahead of me, accept the fight and we’ll
settle it inside the Octagon,” said the CMSystem fighter.
Blaydes is coming off a victory over Waldo
Cortes-Acosta on Sept. 12. The American has a professional
record of 20 wins and six losses, including 13 knockout
victories.