Nearly a year removed from his brutal 60-second loss to Tom Aspinall, Curtis Blaydes returned to the Octagon on Saturday at UFC Baku for a scrap with rising Russian standout Rizvan Kuniev.
Earning himself a contract on Dana White’s Contender Series in August, Kuniev looks to bag his first official win inside the Octagon. Of course, that’ll be no easy task as he’s immediately thrown to the wolves, taking on one of the most experienced fighters in the UFC’s heavyweight division.
Round 1
Blaydes immediately feints a punch and switches levels, driving Kuniev down to the mat near the fence. Kuniev wall-walks his way back up, but Blaydes keeps hold of the body lock and works to drive the Russian back down to the mat. Kuniev is staying upright, but he can’t break Blaydes’ grip and ends up hitting the mat with just under three minutes to go in the opening round.
Kuniev quickly scrambles his way back toward the cage and uses it to get upright, but he can’t shake the former interim title challenger off his back. Kuniev finally manages to break the grip and separate, returning to the center of the Octagon. Blaydes goes for a single-leg, but quickly abandons it, landing an uppercut on the exit. Kuniev is hesitant to throw anything, likely weary of being taken down again.
Kuniev offers up a combination and connects with a right hand. With time ticking down, Kuniev punches his way inside, but that allows Blaydes to clinch up against the fence and ride out the remainder of the round against the fence.
Round 2
Kuniev swings with a right, and Blaydes uses it as an opportunity to shoot in for a takedown. Kuniev fends him off and gets back to the center of the cage. Blaydes is starting to throw some feints, trying to get a reaction from Kuniev. An uppercut from Kuniev lands as Blaydes tries to close the distance. Kuniev connects with a right hand, drawing a bit of blood from Blaydes’ face.
Kuniev is starting to find his range, landing a jab before putting a 3-2 combination behind it. Kuniev drops a couple of right hands that appear to have dazed Blaydes a little. Blaydes finally shoots for a takedown with 90 seconds to go. Kuniev keeps his balance and separates. Blaydes gets a little overaggressive and eats a right from Kuniev, followed by a left that Blaydes absorbs.
The round ends with Blaydes stalking, but not offering up any additional offense.
Round 3
Kuniev steps in early and connects with a nice knee to Blaydes’ chin. Still, Blaydes continues moving forward, looking to take control of the fight with his fists. Blaydes lands a right hand that stumbles Kuniev. That allows Blaydes to shoot in for a double-leg against the fence, but Kuniev’s strength keeps him upright.
Not much action as we reach the three-minute mark of the round, but Blaydes’ control is likely winning him the round. Kuniev finally breaks free and offers up a combination that mostly hits air. Kuniev clinches up against the fence before separating with 55 seconds to go. Both fighters are showing fatigue. Blaydes shoots for a takedown. Kuniev teases a guillotine attempt, but quickly thinks twice of it. Kuniev gets some space and unleashes a flurry in the final seconds.
Official Result: Curtis Blaydes def. Rizvan Kuniev via split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)
Check Out Highlights From Curtis Blaydes vs. Rizvan Kuniev at UFC Baku:
Curtis Blaydes and Rizvan Kuniev go the distance!
How did you score it?! #UFCBaku pic.twitter.com/kOZ96zRn7H
— UFC Europe (@UFCEurope) June 21, 2025
BY SPLIT DECISION ✂️@RazorBlaydes265 earns the win to keep his top 5 ranking! 👏
[ #UFCBaku | LIVE NOW on ABC ] pic.twitter.com/0kNYA4YnhA
— UFC (@ufc) June 21, 2025
