Curtis Blaydes to face UFC rookie Rizvan Kuniev in Seattle
Mar 9, 2024; Miami, Florida, USA; Curtis Blaydes reacts after defeating Jailton Almeida during UFC 299 at Kayesa Center. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images Curtis Blaydes, aiming to bounce back from a loss in a bout the UFC's interim heavyweight championship, will return to action against a UFC rookie.
Rizvan Kuniev, who competed in Dana White's Contender Series, will oppose Blaydes on Feb. 22 in Seattle, MMAFighting.com and MMAJunkie reported on Friday.
Blaydes, a 33-year-old Illinois native, owns an 18-5 MMA record with one no-contest. He competed in the co-main event of UFC 304 in July but was knocked out by Tom Aspinall in the first round.
Blaydes had won four of his previous five fights before that setback.
Kuniev, a 32-year-old Russian, owns a 12-2-1 MMA mark with one no-contest. Most recently, he beat Hugo Cunha via technical knockout in the first round on Aug. 20 as part of the Contender Series.
The UFC 310 card was scheduled to feature Kuniev opposing Martin Buday, but the match didn't occur because Buday was injured.
The UFC has one card remaining on its schedule in 2024, with welterweights Colby Covington and Joaquin Buckley clashing in the main event on Saturday in Tampa.
--Field Level Media
- MLB Predictions and Best Bets for Saturday's Biggest Games
- UFC Vegas 118 Betting Picks: Three Fights to Target on Saturday Night
- MLB Picks Today: Two Pitchers Set Up To Fall Short On Outs Props
- MLB Pitcher Props Today: Best Bets for June 3rd
- NBA Finals Game 1 Best Bets: Knicks vs. Spurs Predictions and Player Props
- Stanley Cup Final Game 1 Best Bets: Hurricanes vs. Golden Knights Picks
- Knicks vs. Spurs Game 1 Props: Three Best Bets for the NBA Finals
