Vitor Petrino calls out Curtis Blaydes for UFC 335: ‘Accept the fight’

Vitor Petrino is calling out Curtis Blaydes for a heavyweight matchup at UFC 335 on December 12 in Las Vegas. The Brazilian contender, currently ranked No. 9, has already informed the promotion of his interest and is now publicly pressing the No. 7-ranked Blaydes to accept the bout.

Petrino, 29, is riding his best momentum since joining the UFC. After moving up from light heavyweight to heavyweight, he has won four consecutive fights—defeating Austen Lane, Thomas Petersen, Steven Asplund, and Serghei Spivac. His August victory over Spivac pushed him into the division's Top 10, opening the door to higher-ranked opponents. Petrino views Blaydes as the logical next step.

"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," Petrino said.

Blaydes (20-6) defeated Waldo Cortes-Acosta on September 12 and has accumulated 13 knockout victories throughout his career. Both fighters are coming off victories, making the matchup a logical ranking-determined bout. The fight would pit two contenders positioned to challenge for higher placement in a competitive heavyweight division.