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One of the fights on the main card of this upcoming UFC Fight Night in Baku, Azerbaijan, features a classic heavyweight clash between a proven contender and a hungry up-and-comer.
Curtis Blaydes (18-5) looks to rebound from a devastating first-round knockout loss to Tom Aspinall last July at UFC 304, a bout for the interim heavyweight title. With the loss to Aspinall still fresh, this is a must-win for Blaydes if he wants to remain relevant in the title picture.
Across the cage, Rizvan Kuniev (12-2-1) steps into his biggest test to date, riding a long unbeaten streak and eager to make a name for himself in the division. Kuniev earned his UFC spot with a dominant win on Dana White’s Contender Series and has quietly gone 2-0 in the promotion. The Dagestani heavyweight is currently riding a 10-fight unbeaten streak, with his last professional loss coming all the way back in 2015.
Tale of the Tape
Curtis Blaydes – Odds 1.44 (Betway)
Record: 18-5
Age: 34
Height: 6ft4
Reach: 80”
Weight: Heavyweight
Stance: Orthodox
Rizvan Kuniev – Odds 2.75 (Betway)
Record: 12-2-1
Age: 33
Height: 6ft4
Reach: 76”
Weight: Heavyweight
Stance: Orthodox
Curtis Blaydes vs Rizvan Kuniev: Analysis
Blaydes is a battle-tested veteran with wins over the likes of Alistair Overeem, Jairzinho Rozenstruik, and Alexander Volkov. Statistically, he remains one of the most dominant wrestlers in UFC heavyweight history averaging 5.69 takedowns per 15 minutes with 53% accuracy.
He’s also a capable striker, landing 3.54 significant strikes per minute while absorbing just 1.91. However, his Achilles’ heel has been heavy-handed strikers, suffering knockout losses in all five of his career defeats.
Nevertheless, expect him to be fully focused heading into this one as he looks to get back into the win column and also the title picture.
Like many fighters from his region (Dagestan), Kuniev boasts a strong wrestling base, averaging 2.82 takedowns per 15 minutes with an outstanding 75% takedown accuracy and 100% takedown defence in limited UFC action.
Kuniev also showcases surprising efficiency on the feet, landing a slick 5.82 significant strikes per minute with a sharp 72% accuracy rate. However, he has yet to face anyone near Blaydes’ level, and this will be a massive step up in competition for the Russian.
Blaydes vs Kuniev: Prediction & Betting Tips
While Kuniev has strong fundamentals and the momentum of an unbeaten run, this is a huge step up in class. Blaydes has fought and beaten top-10 opponents for years, and his wrestling is more than capable of putting Kuniev on his back, a place in which we haven’t really seen the Russian tested.
Blaydes’ vulnerability to powerful strikers is a concern, but Kuniev doesn’t carry the same one-shot knockout power as Aspinall or Derrick Lewis. Of course though, it is heavyweight fighting, so anybody can put someone unconscious if they land that perfect punch.
However, I just have to go with the much more experienced and proven heavyweight in this one. Unless Kuniev can stuff early takedowns and keep the fight at range for a while before shooting a takedown himself, this is Blaydes’ fight to lose.
Take Curtis Blaydes moneyline at odds of 1.44 and add it to a multiple selection bet.
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