Curtis Blaydes Returns After 11 Months: Can He Stop UFC Newcomer Rizvan Kuniev?

By Ali Hammad June 20, 2025 07:02

Curtis Blaydes returns to the Octagon this Saturday at UFC Fight Night in Baku, Azerbaijan, marking his first fight in 11 months. The 34-year-old heavyweight veteran faces off against UFC newcomer Rizvan Kuniev in a bout that, while not a direct path to a title shot, is crucial for Blaydes to reestablish himself in the division’s upper echelon.

Blaydes’ Perspective: A Fight for Momentum, Not a Title Shot

Blaydes, ranked among the UFC’s top heavyweights with an 18-5 record, openly acknowledges that this fight against Kuniev doesn’t advance his title aspirations immediately. “This fight does not advance my career at all,” Blaydes told reporters during media day. “This opponent is unranked. I could potentially knock him out with a flying knee, but it wouldn’t make a difference.” Despite this, Blaydes remains focused on victory and sees the bout as an opportunity to get back into fighting shape and earn income after a long layoff since his interim title loss to Tom Aspinall last July.

Experience vs. Newcomer: The Statistical Edge

Blaydes’ experience is a significant advantage. With 19 UFC heavyweight fights under his belt ranking ninth all-time in the division he is a seasoned competitor. He is tied for eighth all-time in finishes among heavyweights and aims to notch his 14th UFC win, which would move him into a tie for fifth all-time in division victories. His wrestling is elite, averaging 5.69 takedowns per 15 minutes and controlling opponents on the mat with a 49.1% control time, seventh-best in heavyweight history.

In contrast, Kuniev, a 33-year-old Russian fighter making his UFC debut, has a professional record of 12-2-1. Known for his striking, Kuniev lands 5.82 significant strikes per minute with an impressive 72% accuracy, compared to Blaydes’ 3.54 strikes per minute at 50% accuracy. However, Kuniev’s reach (76 inches) is shorter than Blaydes’ 80 inches, and Kuniev has yet to face the caliber of opposition Blaydes has encountered.

Key Tactical Matchups

Blaydes’ path to victory likely hinges on imposing his wrestling dominance. He successfully lands takedowns on 53% of his attempts and defends 31% of takedown attempts against him. Kuniev, while a dangerous striker, has a perfect takedown defense record so far, stopping 100% of takedown attempts. This clash of wrestling prowess versus striking precision makes for an intriguing stylistic matchup.

Blaydes’ last fight ended in a first-round knockout loss to Aspinall, where he absorbed heavy strikes but landed only a few significant shots himself. He enters this bout healthy and confident, stating, “I feel like I’m peaking at the right time – I’m healthy and ready”. Meanwhile, Kuniev’s recent win came via elbows in the first round, showcasing his finishing ability.

What’s at Stake

While this fight may not immediately vault Blaydes back into title contention, a convincing win is essential to maintain his status as a top-five heavyweight contender. He candidly admitted, “I would love the opportunity to contend the title. That would mean an additional $800,000 in my pocket, but I know that isn’t in the cards right now, so I won’t dwell on it”. Instead, Blaydes is pragmatic, understanding he may need another fight before earning another shot.

For Kuniev, this is a chance to announce himself on the big stage and upset a proven veteran. His striking volume and accuracy pose a real threat, but overcoming Blaydes’ wrestling and experience will be a tall order.

Curtis Blaydes’ return after nearly a year away is a pivotal moment in his career. His wrestling-heavy style and Octagon savvy give him the tools to neutralize Rizvan Kuniev’s striking, but the newcomer’s precision and finishing instincts cannot be underestimated. Fans tuning in to UFC Baku on June 21 should expect a compelling clash of styles, with Blaydes aiming to remind the heavyweight division that “Razor” is still a force to be reckoned with.