Curtis Blaydes is going from fighting for an interim heavyweight title to facing a UFC newcomer.
After suffering a quick TKO loss in his rematch with Tom Aspinall in July, Blaydes will attempt to get back track in a high-risk matchup with Dana White’s Contender Series signee Rizvan Kuniev at UFC Fight Night 252 on Feb. 22 in Seattle, Wash. The event streams on ESPN+.
MMA Junkie verified the three-round heavyweight booking between Blaydes (18-5 MMA, 13-5 UFC) and Kuniev (13-2-1 MMA, 0-0 UFC) with two people who have knowledge of the situation. The people requested anonymity because the promotion has yet to make an official announcement.
Blaydes, No. 7 in the latest USA TODAY Sports/MMA Junkie heavyweight rankings, got the rematch with Aspinall for the interim belt after a 4-1 stretch that included a victory over Aspinall by injury TKO. “Razor,” now 33, has been a notable part of the division since his debut in April 2016, and will look to start his build back up to contention.
He will have to do against Kuniev, who was signed to the UFC in August following a first-round TKO win at DWCS 68. The 32-year-old has also faced notable such as PFL’s Renan Ferreira and UFC veterans Anthony Hamilton and Justin Willis.
Kuniev was supposed to make his debut at UFC 310 in December, but opponent Martin Buday withdrew and the matchup was scratched.
The latest UFC Fight Night 252 lineup now includes:
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC Fight Night 252.
