UFC Fight Night 166: Blaydes vs dos Santos

BLAYDES VS DOS SANTOS 

UFC Fight Night 166 Live Stream

Aside from of a collection of run-ins opposite terrifying power-slugger Francis Ngannou, UFC heavyweight contender Curtis Blaydes has yet to face a challenge that he couldn't overcome in his six years as a professional in the MMA world. 

As Blaydes (12-2, 1 NC) enters his first foray of 2020 on Saturday against former champion Junior dos Santos in the main event of a UFC Fight Night card in Raleigh, North Carolina, the thought of what's at stake for the 28-year-old with a victory isn't far off.

"When you get to headline, you know the UFC believes in you and believes you can put on a good enough show to be the main event," Blaydes told MMA Junkie during Wednesday's media day. "If I do well this weekend, I should be in title contention so let's go."

Taking a quick glance at the UFC heavyweight rankings reveals that Blaydes, a 6-foot-4 native of Naperville, Illinois, isn't all that far off. Current champion Stipe Miocic is expected to face Daniel Cormier in a trilogy bout this calendar year and the only man with a stronger claim to face the winner is Ngannou, who twice finished Blaydes via TKO in his only defeats.