UFC heavyweight contender Curtis Blaydes was a very interested party in the final two fights of UFC 226, where things changed very quickly.

Following the lackluster co-main event of UFC 226 between Derrick Lewis and Francis Ngannou, there wasn’t a whole lot of positivity or optimism. Although, you can make the argument that at the final moments of that heavyweight bout, one person was feeling pretty good about things — Curtis Blaydes.

And then, Brock Lesnar made his way to the cage side area prior to the heavyweight title fight between Stipe Miocic and Daniel Cormier.

“Razor” is currently riding a six-fight unbeaten streak, including his emphatic finish of Alistair Overeem in his most recent appearance at UFC 225 in June. Blaydes was being inserted into the heavyweight title picture, but all eyes seemed to be on the fight between Lewis and Ngannou to see what direction the division may be heading.

“I’m not thinking about any of that. I’m 50/50 on just holding out and fighting the winner of Brock and DC because I feel like my title shot was unfairly taken away.”

Lesnar would sit next to Dana White and watch Cormier make history — with a shocking first-round KO of Miocic — to become the second fighter in UFC history to capture two championships, in two different weight classes simultaneously. “DC” would call for Lesnar to enter the cage and all hell broke loose. The UFC president would then confirm during the UFC 226 post-fight press conference that Cormier and Lesnar are going to happen for the heavyweight title.

So if you’re Curtis Blaydes, what do you do? Do you wait it out? Or do you take another fight with Derrick Lewis or Stipe Miocic coming out of UFC 226? Blaydes doesn’t even believe that should even be a question.

“That’s the problem. I don’t think any of those fights make sense because I don’t think I should have to fight again,” Blaydes said on the Extra Rounds Podcast. “That’s the issue. I just don’t feel like I need to fight again. A few years ago, Jacare was in my position. He had the option to wait (for a title shot) or fight again. He ended up fighting Yoel Romero and lost a very close split decision and he hasn’t had a chance to fight for the belt since then. You have to think about that type of scenario.

“Right now, I’m not even thinking about Derrick Lewis or anybody else. I’m not thinking about any of that. I’m 50/50 on just holding out and fighting the winner of Brock and DC because I feel like my title shot was unfairly taken away.”

Lewis, himself, expressed his disappointment in the fight with Ngannou — a fight that was being built up for well over a year. “The Black Beast” also continues to be hampered by back issues. Ngannou would release a statement earlier this week to, essentially, say that he was a bit gun-shy following his title loss to Miocic at UFC 220 in January. Blaydes was able to see a bit of hope coming out of that fight but he certainly feels that the criticism of the reputable knockout punchers is more than justified.

“I was disappointed on the performance that they put on,” Blaydes said. “But after the fight, I was feeling like it pushed me up to being the No.1 contender. People criticize how I fight so I don’t have a problem with people criticizing how they fought.”

Rumblings of a Lesnar appearance began to circulate as UFC 226 was happening. The current WWE Universal Champion has been suspended by USADA after testing positive stemming from his UFC 200 victory over Mark Hunt. Blaydes was as surprised to others not privy to the rumors when “The Beast Incarnate” made his presence felt at the T-Mobile Arena.

“Honestly, I don’t pay attention to Brock Lesnar so I didn’t notice him until he came down and sat next to Dana White,” Blaydes explained. “(My mood changed) pretty instantly. I knew what was happening. I’m a pretty smart and the logic was right there. I knew what was happening before the main event even got started.”

In a moment that was talked about even more than Daniel Cormier’s incredible achievement, the confrontation that followed the victory had the entire combat sports world talking, and debating. Was it an incredible moment to build a fight? Or was this a totally fabricated plot by all involved?

“A few years ago, Jacare was in my position. He had the option to wait (for a title shot) or fight again. He ended up fighting Yoel Romero and lost a very close split decision and he hasn’t had a chance to fight for the belt since then.”

“Immediately as I’m watching it, it looked really staged,” Blaydes said. “That’s the first thing that popped into my head was that it looked staged. It looks like the UFC really wants to be just like the WWE. This is no longer a merit-based sport. It’s now, officially, a popularity contest. That’s what went through my head. I couldn’t have imagined it would be that way. I’ve had time to absorb it and process it. I’m over it. I’m not going to lose any sleep over it. It is what it is.”

According to MMA Fighting, Lesnar has reentered the USADA testing pool and would not be eligible to compete until January 2019. Cormier has already stated that come March of next year, when he turns 40, he will ride off into the sunset. That puts the heavyweight division and Blaydes’ next move into a bit of limbo.

“I don’t feel comfortable making any kind of guarantees or putting anything in stone,” Blaydes said. “I don’t know what my future holds. We’re weighing all of the options. Obviously, me holding out for after Brock and DC actually fight; that’s an option. It’s not my favorite option but it’s an option.

“If they pay me, I’ll be a backup (fighter).”

While Lesnar is looming at present time, there is another factor that could be in play — the man who is arguably the greatest fighter of all-time and Cormier’s bitter rival — Jon Jones. “Bones” is still not eligible to compete after his second positive USADA test following his victory over Cormier at UFC 214 last July. Still, in today’s UFC where the biggest fights possible take precedent over meritocracy, if this third fight between Jones and Cormier can happen, there’s a strong possibility that it will happen.

“It’s all very frustrating because there’s so much unpredictability,” Blaydes said. “I don’t like predicting things when there are so many variables out of my control. I’m predicting six months ahead, eight months ahead, that’s a good way to set you up for disappointment. Anything can happen — guys can blow out their knee, guys retire, so many different things can happen. I’m not thinking about anything outside of getting healthy.”

Jones also has a brief history with Lesnar. Following the UFC 214 title winning performance, Jones called for a fight with the former UFC heavyweight champion. While a lot of scenarios seem bleak currently for Curtis Blaydes, you can argue that the best case scenario for the rising heavyweight would be a Lesnar victory over Cormier. If that sets up a fight between Lesnar and Blaydes, the 27-year-old will go into that fight extremely confident.

“I would destroy Brock Lesnar.”