Curtis Blaydes goes from combating for an interim heavyweight title to dealing with a UFC newcomer.
After struggling a fast TKO loss in his rematch with Tom Aspinall in July, Blaydes will try to get again monitor in a high-risk matchup with Dana White’s Contender Sequence signee Rizvan Kuniev at UFC Combat Evening 252 on Feb. 22 in Seattle, Wash. The occasion streams on ESPN+.
MMA Junkie verified the three-round heavyweight reserving between Blaydes (18-5 MMA, 13-5 UFC) and Kuniev (13-2-1 MMA, 0-0 UFC) with two individuals who have data of the scenario. The folks requested anonymity as a result of the promotion has but to make an official announcement.
Blaydes, No. 7 within the newest USA TODAY Sports activities/MMA Junkie heavyweight rankings, acquired the rematch with Aspinall for the interim belt after a 4-1 stretch that included a victory over Aspinall by harm TKO. “Razor,” now 33, has been a notable a part of the division since his debut in April 2016, and can look to start out his construct again as much as rivalry.
He must do in opposition to Kuniev, who was signed to the UFC in August following a first-round TKO win at DWCS 68. The 32-year-old has additionally confronted notable resembling PFL’s Renan Ferreira and UFC veterans Anthony Hamilton and Justin Willis.
Kuniev was imagined to make his debut at UFC 310 in December, however opponent Martin Buday withdrew and the matchup was scratched.
The newest UFC Combat Evening 252 lineup now consists of:
- Curtis Blaydes vs. Rizvan Kuniev
- Brendan Allen vs. Anthony Hernandez
- Macy Chiasson vs. Ketlen Vieira
- Melsik Baghdasaryan vs. Jean Silva
- Modestas Bukauskas vs. Rafael Cerqueira
- Ibo Aslan vs. Ion Cutelaba
- Islam Dulatov vs. Adam Fugitt
For extra on the cardboard, go to MMA Junkie’s occasion hub for UFC Combat Evening 252.
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