Curtis Blaydes tells Francis Ngannou to box Tyson Fury or Anthony Joshua

"If I’m him, I’m just going to box."

Curtis Blaydes said it's best for the current heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou to step into boxing instead of signing a new UFC contract. 'Razor' Blaydes spoke on The MMA Hour following his knockout victory over Chris Daukaus in Columbus, Ohio, on Saturday night. Ngannou underwent knee surgery and is expected to sit out the rest of the year, his UFC contract expires in 2023 leaving him open to leaving the promotion.

Curtis Blaydes on Francis Ngannou's expiring UFC contract.

Blaydes advised Ngannou to go box one of the heavyweight boxing superstars - as it would be financially lucrative. The 31-year-old said if he was in the position of the Cameroon champion, he would make the move across to professional boxing.

"If I’m him, I’m just going to box. They make a lot of money, and he would make a lot of money against (Anthony) Joshua or Tyson (Fury) or Deontay (Wilder)," Blaydes told The MMA Hour.

"He would be rich. So if I’m him, I would let my knee heal up and get ready to box."

Blaydes on Ngannou's boxing longevity.

Blaydes fought Ngannou twice in the UFC (2016 and 2018), the heavyweight champion knocked out 'Razor' Blaydes on both occasions. The number four ranked heavyweight knows what Ngannou is capable of. The Colorado native thinks Ngannou is capable of competing with the top heavyweights in boxing - he addressed the difference the heavier gloves make but he still is adamant Ngannou has what it takes. If the Cameroonian makes the transition over to boxing, Blaydes said he will make enough money from the superstar heavyweight fights to retire afterward.

"Based off the top boxers at the heavyweight division I’ve watched, I think he does well. I think he has the reach. We know he has the explosion and the athleticism. With those gloves, he may not have the same impact, but I think he can beat any of those guys," said Blaydes.

"It’s always good to know that there’s something on the other side of MMA, because you can’t fight forever, and at the end, you just want to get your money."

"That’s always going to be a good avenue. If you’re doing up your name and brand in the UFC and MMA, you have the opportunity to transition over into the boxing world, and you can make a lot of money at the end of your career."

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