Blaydes won't fight again until title shot if he beats Volkov

UFC heavyweight contender Curtis Blaydes is committed to sitting out and waiting for a title shot if he gets past Alexander Volkov in the June 20 main event.

Champion Stipe Miocic is scheduled to defend the title against Daniel Cormier in August, and Francis Ngannou appears to be next in line for a shot at the belt. But Blaydes, who's riding a three-fight winning streak, believes he'll have done enough if he beats Volkov.

"There isn't anyone else worth it (for me to fight), and I'll have enough money to sit," Blaydes told MMA Junkie's Farah Hannoun, adding that he's talked to his management and coaches about the idea. "If I have to sit eight months, I have enough, so I'll be OK."

Blaydes, who's ranked No. 3 at heavyweight, has lost twice to Ngannou in the Octagon, so it's unlikely he'd jump ahead of the No. 2-ranked contender with a win over No. 7 Volkov. However, Ngannou is the only person Blaydes has lost to in his professional career, and the 29-year-old is an overall 8-2 (1 NC) as a UFC fighter.

Blaydes most recently beat former champion Junior dos Santos via second-round TKO in the UFC Raleigh main event in January.

The headlining fight between Blaydes and Volkov will take place at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.