In a surprising turn of events, UFC heavyweight contender Curtis Blaydes is set to face octagon newcomer Rizvan Kuniev at UFC Fight Night 252 on February 22, 2024, in Seattle, Washington. This matchup marks a significant shift for Blaydes, who is coming off a title fight loss and now faces the challenge of a Dana White’s Contender Series graduate.
Curtis Blaydes will fight Rizvan Kuniev at #UFCSeattle on February 22nd. (first rep. Bigi Boy on @LynchOnSports) #UFC #MMA #UFCESPN #UFC2025 pic.twitter.com/tnMmmSyQge
— Marcel Dorff 🇳🇱🇮🇩 (@BigMarcel24) December 13, 2024
Blaydes, currently ranked No. 5 in UFC heavyweight rankings, finds himself in a precarious position. After suffering a quick TKO loss in his rematch against Tom Aspinall for the interim heavyweight title in July, ‘Razor’ is eager to reestablish his position in the division’s elite. At 33 years old, Blaydes has been a formidable force in the heavyweight landscape since his UFC debut in April 2016, consistently proving himself against top-tier competition.
The matchup against Kuniev presents a unique challenge for Blaydes. Kuniev, a 32-year-old prospect, earned his UFC contract with an impressive first-round TKO victory at Dana White’s Contender Series 68 in August. . While relatively unknown to casual fans, Kuniev brings a wealth of experience, having faced notable opponents such as PFL’s Renan Ferreira and UFC veterans Anthony Hamilton and Justin Willis.
This bout is not without its risks for Blaydes. A loss to an unranked newcomer could severely damage his standing in the division and potentially derail any immediate hopes of another title shot. Conversely, a win over a hungry, up-and-coming fighter like Kuniev could reignite Blaydes’ momentum and prove that he still belongs among the heavyweight elite.
For Kuniev, this fight represents a golden opportunity to make an immediate impact in the UFC’s heavyweight division. Originally slated to debut at UFC 310 in December, Kuniev’s plans were derailed when his opponent, Martin Buday, withdrew from the bout. . Now, facing a top-10 ranked opponent in his first UFC appearance, Kuniev has the chance to catapult himself into the rankings and establish himself as a serious contender.
The stylistic matchup between Blaydes and Kuniev promises to be intriguing. Blaydes is known for his wrestling prowess and has developed a formidable striking game to complement his grappling skills. Kuniev, with his recent knockout victory, has shown he possesses the power to end fights quickly. The clash of Blaydes’ experience and well-rounded skill set against Kuniev’s raw power and hunger for success sets the stage for a potentially explosive encounter.
As February 22 approaches, fans and pundits alike will be eagerly anticipating this clash of heavyweight titans. Will Curtis Blaydes bounce back and reassert his dominance, or will Rizvan Kuniev shock the MMA world with a debut upset? One thing is certain, when these two step into the octagon at UFC Fight Night 252, the heavyweight division will be watching closely, knowing that the balance of power could shift dramatically based on the outcome of this crucial matchup.
