Curtis Blaydes
American mixed martial arts fighter
Curtis Lionell Blaydes [ 7] (born February 18, 1991)[ 8] is an American professional mixed martial artist . He currently competes in the Heavyweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). A professional since 2014, Blaydes formerly competed for the Resurrection Fighting Alliance (RFA). As of July 30, 2024, he is #5 in the UFC heavyweight rankings .[ 9]
Background
Blaydes was born in Naperville, Illinois , and raised in nearby Chicago along with his four other siblings. He began wrestling for the De La Salle Institute , winning a state title his senior year while also compiling an undefeated 44–0 record. During his four years, Blaydes compiled an overall record of 95–18 with 121 takedowns. Blaydes also played American football for De La Salle as a defensive end. He later earned a full wrestling scholarship to Northern Illinois University . After going 9–2 as a redshirt freshman at NIU, he transferred to Harper College . At Harper, Blaydes won the NJCAA National Championship as a redshirt sophomore. After he began fighting in amateur mixed martial arts, Blaydes left school to focus on a career in MMA.[ 10]
Blaydes was an IKF amateur champion.[ 11]
Mixed martial arts career
Early career
Blaydes compiled an 8–0 amateur record before turning professional in 2014. He then went 5–0, with all wins via TKO, before being signed by the UFC.[ 12]
Ultimate Fighting Championship
Blaydes made his promotional debut against Francis Ngannou on April 10, 2016, at UFC Fight Night 86 .[ 13] He lost the fight via TKO at the conclusion of the second round due to doctor stoppage.[ 14]
Blaydes next faced Cody East on October 1, 2016, at UFC Fight Night 96 .[ 15] He won the fight via TKO in the second round,[ 16] winning his first UFC Performance of the Night bonus.[ 17]
Blaydes faced Adam Milstead on February 4, 2017, at UFC Fight Night 104 .[ 18] After dominating the action throughout the first round, Blaydes won the fight via TKO after Milstead sustained a knee injury.[ 19] Subsequently, the result was changed to a No Contest after Blaydes tested positive for marijuana.[ 20]
Blaydes faced Daniel Omielańczuk on July 8, 2017, at UFC 213 .[ 21] He won the fight by unanimous decision.[ 22]
Blaydes faced Alexey Oleynik on November 4, 2017, at UFC 217 .[ 23] He won the fight via TKO due to a doctor stoppage. The referee stopped the fight after Blaydes delivered an illegal kick to a downed opponent and called a doctor to check on Oliynyk. The fight was stopped due to the doctor's advice. The replay, however, showed the strike did not deliver significant damage (as it only grazed the ear), and the fight was ruled a win for Blaydes.[ 24]
Blaydes faced Mark Hunt on February 11, 2018, at UFC 221 .[ 25] He won the fight via unanimous decision.[ 26]
Blaydes faced Alistair Overeem on June 9, 2018, at UFC 225 .[ 27] He won the fight via TKO due to elbows in the third round.[ 28] This win earned him the Performance of the Night bonus.[ 29]
Blaydes faced Francis Ngannou in a rematch on November 24, 2018, in the main event at UFC Fight Night 141 [ 30] He lost the fight via TKO early into the first round.[ 31]
Blaydes faced Justin Willis on March 23, 2019, at UFC Fight Night 148 .[ 32] Blaydes continually took Willis down, scoring multiple takedowns and knocking down Willis in the second round winning the fight via unanimous decision.[ 33]
Blaydes faced Shamil Abdurakhimov on September 7, 2019, at UFC 242 .[ 34] He won the fight via TKO in the second round.[ 35]
Blaydes faced Junior dos Santos on January 25, 2020, at UFC Fight Night 166 .[ 36] He won the fight via technical knockout in the second round.[ 37]
Blaydes faced Alexander Volkov on June 20, 2020, at UFC Fight Night: Blaydes vs. Volkov .[ 38] He won the fight via unanimous decision (49–46, 48–47, and 48–46).[ 39]
Blaydes was scheduled to face Derrick Lewis on November 28, 2020, at UFC on ESPN: Blaydes vs. Lewis . However, he tested positive for coronavirus and thus, the bout was scrapped.[ 40] The pair was rescheduled for UFC Fight Night 185 on February 20, 2021.[ 41] Blaydes lost the fight via knockout in the second round.[ 42] He became a free agent after fighting out his contract, and signed a new four-fight deal with the UFC in May.[ 43]
Blaydes faced Jairzinho Rozenstruik on September 25, 2021, at UFC 266 .[ 44] Blaydes won the fight via unanimous decision.[ 45]
Blaydes faced Chris Daukaus on March 26, 2022, at UFC on ESPN 33 .[ 46] He won the fight via TKO early in the second round.[ 47] The win also earned him the Performance of the Night award.[ 48]
Blaydes faced Tom Aspinall on July 23, 2022, at UFC Fight Night 208 .[ 49] Blaydes won the fight via TKO after Aspinall suffered a knee injury and was unable to defend himself in the opening minute of the fight.[ 50]
Blaydes faced Sergei Pavlovich on April 22, 2023, at UFC Fight Night 222 .[ 51] He lost the fight via technical knockout in the first round.[ 52]
Blaydes was scheduled to face Jailton Almeida on November 4, 2023, at UFC Fight Night 231 .[ 53] However, Blaydes withdrew for unknown reasons and was replaced by Derrick Lewis .[ 54] The pair was rescheduled for UFC 299 on March 9, 2024.[ 55] After being taken down nine times in round one, Blaydes won the fight by technical knockout in round two.[ 56] This fight earned him another Performance of the Night award .[ 57]
Blaydes faced Tom Aspinall in a rematch for the Interim UFC Heavyweight Championship on July 27, 2024 at UFC 304 .[ 58] He lost the fight by knockout one minute into the first round.[ 59]
Blaydes is scheduled to face Rizvan Kuniev on February 22, 2025 at UFC Fight Night 252 .[ 60]
Personal life
Blaydes has a daughter, Harlie.[ 43]
Championships and accomplishments
Mixed martial arts
Folkstyle wrestling
Mixed martial arts record
Professional record breakdown
24 matches
18 wins
5 losses
By knockout
13
5
By decision
5
0
No contests
1
Res.
Record
Opponent
Method
Event
Date
Round
Time
Location
Notes
Loss
18–5 (1)
Tom Aspinall
KO (punches)
UFC 304
July 27, 2024
1
1:00
Manchester , England
For the interim UFC Heavyweight Championship .
Win
18–4 (1)
Jailton Almeida
KO (punches)
UFC 299
March 9, 2024
2
0:36
Miami, Florida , United States
Performance of the Night.
Loss
17–4 (1)
Sergei Pavlovich
TKO (punches)
UFC Fight Night: Pavlovich vs. Blaydes
April 22, 2023
1
3:08
Las Vegas, Nevada , United States
Win
17–3 (1)
Tom Aspinall
TKO (knee injury)
UFC Fight Night: Blaydes vs. Aspinall
July 23, 2022
1
0:15
London , England
Win
16–3 (1)
Chris Daukaus
TKO (punches)
UFC on ESPN: Blaydes vs. Daukaus
March 26, 2022
2
0:17
Columbus, Ohio , United States
Performance of the Night.
Win
15–3 (1)
Jairzinho Rozenstruik
Decision (unanimous)
UFC 266
September 25, 2021
3
5:00
Las Vegas, Nevada , United States
Loss
14–3 (1)
Derrick Lewis
KO (punch)
UFC Fight Night: Blaydes vs. Lewis
February 20, 2021
2
1:26
Las Vegas, Nevada , United States
Win
14–2 (1)
Alexander Volkov
Decision (unanimous)
UFC on ESPN: Blaydes vs. Volkov
June 20, 2020
5
5:00
Las Vegas, Nevada , United States
Win
13–2 (1)
Junior dos Santos
TKO (punches)
UFC Fight Night: Blaydes vs. dos Santos
January 25, 2020
2
1:06
Raleigh, North Carolina , United States
Win
12–2 (1)
Shamil Abdurakhimov
TKO (elbow and punch)
UFC 242
September 7, 2019
2
2:22
Abu Dhabi , United Arab Emirates
Win
11–2 (1)
Justin Willis
Decision (unanimous)
UFC Fight Night: Thompson vs. Pettis
March 23, 2019
3
5:00
Nashville, Tennessee , United States
Loss
10–2 (1)
Francis Ngannou
TKO (punches)
UFC Fight Night: Blaydes vs. Ngannou 2
November 24, 2018
1
0:45
Beijing , China
Win
10–1 (1)
Alistair Overeem
TKO (elbows)
UFC 225
June 9, 2018
3
2:56
Chicago, Illinois , United States
Performance of the Night.
Win
9–1 (1)
Mark Hunt
Decision (unanimous)
UFC 221
February 11, 2018
3
5:00
Perth , Australia
Win
8–1 (1)
Aleksei Oleinik
TKO (doctor stoppage)
UFC 217
November 4, 2017
2
1:56
New York City , New York , United States
Win
7–1 (1)
Daniel Omielańczuk
Decision (unanimous)
UFC 213
July 8, 2017
3
5:00
Las Vegas, Nevada , United States
NC
6–1 (1)
Adam Milstead
NC (overturned)
UFC Fight Night: Bermudez vs. The Korean Zombie
February 4, 2017
2
0:59
Houston, Texas , United States
Originally a TKO (knee injury) win for Blaydes; overturned after he tested positive for marijuana .
Win
6–1
Cody East
TKO (elbows)
UFC Fight Night: Lineker vs. Dodson
October 1, 2016
2
2:02
Portland, Oregon , United States
Performance of the Night.
Loss
5–1
Francis Ngannou
TKO (doctor stoppage)
UFC Fight Night: Rothwell vs. dos Santos
April 10, 2016
2
5:00
Zagreb , Croatia
Win
5–0
Luis Cortez
TKO (punches)
RFA 35: Moises vs. Castillo
February 19, 2016
3
0:41
Orem, Utah , United States
Win
4–0
Allen Crowder
TKO (punches)
RDMMA: Battle in the South 10
April 10, 2015
2
N/A
Wilmington, North Carolina , United States
Win
3–0
Brad Faylor
TKO (punches)
SCS 23: Redemption
November 15, 2014
2
0:45
Hinton, Oklahoma , United States
Win
2–0
William Baptiste
TKO (punches)
XFO 53
October 11, 2014
1
2:14
Chicago, Illinois , United States
Win
1–0
Lorenzo Hood
TKO (doctor stoppage)
XFO 51
May 31, 2014
1
1:42
Chicago, Illinois , United States
Heavyweight debut.
[ 65]
Amateur mixed martial arts record
Amateur record breakdown
5 matches
5 wins
0 losses
By knockout
3
0
By submission
1
0
By decision
1
0
Res.
Record
Opponent
Method
Event
Date
Round
Time
Location
Notes
Win
5–0
Tyler Reece
Submission (arm-triangle choke)
XFO Fight Night
February 21, 2014
1
0:24
Arlington Heights , Illinois , United States
Win
4–0
Anthony Harvey
Decision (unanimous)
Brawl at the Hall 10
November 15, 2013
3
5:00
Joliet , Illinois , United States
Defended the BOH Amateur Heavyweight Title.
Win
3–0
Pete Juska
TKO (punches)
AFPC 13: Summer Brawl
July 13, 2013
1
2:16
Villa Park , Illinois , United States
Win
2–0
Angel Cabral
TKO (punches)
Brawl at the Hall
June 7, 2013
1
2:16
Joliet , Illinois , United States
Won the BOH Amateur Heavyweight Title.
Win
1–0
Robbie Strong
TKO (punches)
Fight Card Entertainment: No Mercy
September 29, 2012
1
0:13
Melrose Park , Illinois , United States
See also
References
^ a b "Curtis Blaydes | UFC" . UFC.com . September 14, 2018. Retrieved March 27, 2022 .
^ "Stats | UFC" . ufcstats.com . Retrieved February 21, 2021 .
^ Steven Marrocco (April 7, 2016). "People kept pushing UFC Fight Night 86's Curtis Blaydes to fight, so he finally did" . MMAjunkie.com .
^ Aaron Bronsteter (November 22, 2018). "The Evolution of Curtis Blaydes" . TSN .
^ E. Spencer Kyte (November 21, 2018). "Joining the Elevation Fight Team in Denver has Curtis Blaydes feeling unstoppable" . sportingnews.com .
^ "Curtis "Razor" Blaydes Received His BJJ Purple Belt from Professor Cody Donovan" . September 9, 2022.
^ "Кертис Блейдс (Curtis Blades): лучшие бои и биография топ-тяжеловеса UFC - MMAExpress" . mma.express . Retrieved October 2, 2024 .
^ "Curtis "Razor" Blaydes" . Sherdog.
^ "UFC Rankings, Division Rankings, P4P rankings, UFC Champions | UFC.com" . www.ufc.com . Retrieved July 30, 2024 .
^ "About - Curtis Blaydes" . curtisblaydes.com . Retrieved March 6, 2021 .
^ "Curtis Blaydes | UFC" . www.ufc.com . September 14, 2018. Retrieved February 25, 2022 .
^ Sherdog.com. "Curtis" . Sherdog . Retrieved May 31, 2023 .
^ Staff (March 14, 2016). "Curtis Blaydes in for Bojan Mihajlovic against Francis Ngannou at UFC Fight Night 86" . mmajunkie.com. Retrieved February 6, 2017 .
^ Damon Martin (April 10, 2016). "Francis Ngannou beats Curtis Blaydes after nasty eye injury stops the fight" . foxsports.com . Retrieved February 6, 2017 .
^ Tristen Critchfield (September 16, 2016). "Cody East, Curtis Blaydes to lock horns at IFC Fight Night in Portland" . sherdog.com. Retrieved February 6, 2017 .
^ Staff (October 1, 2016). "Curtis Blaydes drills Cody East into a TKO stoppage" . mmaweekly.com. Retrieved February 6, 2017 .
^ a b Tristen Critchfield (October 1, 2016). "UFC Fight Night Portland bonuses: Moreno, da Silva, Marquardt, Blaydes get $50K" . sherdog.com. Retrieved October 2, 2016 .
^ David McKinney (December 5, 2016). "Adam Milstead returns to the UFC on Super Bowl weekend" . bluegrassmma.com. Archived from the original on May 9, 2019. Retrieved February 6, 2017 .
^ Steven Marrocco (February 4, 2017). "UFC Fight Night 104 results: Curtis Blaydes throws Adam Milstead around, wrecks his knee for TKO" . mmajunkie.com. Retrieved February 6, 2017 .
^ Marc Raimondi (March 17, 2017). "Three fighters test positive for marijuana at UFC Fight Night 104" . mmafighting.com. Retrieved March 17, 2017 .
^ Staff (April 19, 2017). "Curtis Blaydes vs. Daniel Omielanczuk heavyweight bout teed up for UFC 213 in Las Vegas" . mmajunkie.com. Retrieved April 19, 2017 .
^ "UFC 213 results: Curtis Blaydes shows room to improve in clean-sweep win vs. Daniel Omielanczuk" . MMAjunkie . July 9, 2017. Retrieved July 9, 2017 .
^ Staff (August 16, 2017). "Bisping-GSP, Garbrandt-Dillashaw title fights among 7 official for UFC 217" . mmajunkie.com. Retrieved August 16, 2017 .
^ Matt Erickson (November 4, 2017). "UFC 217 results: After bizarre ending, Curtis Blaydes gets TKO win over Aleksei Oleinik" . mmajunkie.com. Retrieved November 4, 2017 .
^ "Hunt: 'Werdum is a coward... Chicken s**t' " . Retrieved December 13, 2017 .
^ "UFC 221 results: Curtis Blaydes dominates Mark Hunt for biggest win of career" . MMAjunkie . February 11, 2018. Retrieved February 11, 2018 .
^ Marcel Dorff (March 1, 2018). "Alistair Overeem returns at UFC 225 in Chicago against Curtis Blaydes" . mmadna.nl (in Dutch). Retrieved March 1, 2018 .
^ "UFC 225 results: Curtis Blaydes elbows slice open, finish Alistair Overeem" . MMAjunkie . June 10, 2018. Retrieved June 10, 2018 .
^ a b Sherdog.com. "UFC 225 Bonuses: Whittaker, Romero Garner 'Fight of the Night' Honors for Classic Battle" . Sherdog . Retrieved June 10, 2018 .
^ Cillian Cunniingham (August 16, 2016). "Curtis Blaydes/Francis Ngannou rematch set for UFC Beijing" . punditarena.com . Archived from the original on March 29, 2019. Retrieved August 16, 2016 .
^ Sherdog.com. "Francis Ngannou Returns to Form, Blasts Curtis Blaydes in UFC Fight Night 141 Headliner" . Sherdog . Retrieved November 24, 2018 .
^ Jesse Holland (January 16, 2019). "Curtis Blaydes vs Justin Willis on tap for UFC Nashville" . mmamania.com . Retrieved January 18, 2019 .
^ "UFC Nashville results: Curtis Blaydes shuts down Justin Willis in one-sided affair" . MMA Junkie . March 24, 2019. Retrieved March 24, 2019 .
^ Hulbert, Joe (May 29, 2019). "Curtis Blaydes vs Shamil Abdurakhimov slated for UFC 242" . fightful.com . Retrieved May 29, 2019 .
^ Anderson, Jay (September 7, 2019). "UFC 242 Results: Curtis Blaydes Takes Down, Smashes Shamil Abdurakhimov Repeatedly" . Cageside Press . Retrieved September 7, 2019 .
^ "Curtis Blaydes To Battle Junior Dos Santos At UFC Raleigh" . UFC . November 13, 2019. Retrieved November 14, 2019 .
^ McClory, Mike (January 25, 2020). "UFC Raleigh Results: Curtis Blaydes Stops Junior Dos Santos in Second" . Cageside Press . Retrieved January 26, 2020 .
^ "Blaydes-Volkov back on after Canada card nixed" . ESPN.com . May 30, 2020. Retrieved May 31, 2020 .
^ Josh Evanoff (June 21, 2020). "UFC on ESPN 11 Results: Curtis Blaydes Dominates Alexander Volkov, Sets Takedown Record" . Cageside Press . Retrieved June 21, 2020 .
^ "Curtis Blaydes vs. Derrick Lewis set to headline UFC event on Nov. 28" . MMA Junkie . August 19, 2020. Retrieved August 19, 2020 .
^ "Sources: Blaydes-Lewis fight now set for Feb. 20" . ESPN.com . January 4, 2021. Retrieved January 5, 2021 .
^ Anderson, Jay (February 20, 2021). "UFC Vegas 19 Results: Derrick Lewis Lands Highlight Reel Uppercut on Blaydes" . Cageside Press . Retrieved February 21, 2021 .
^ a b MiddleEasy (September 7, 2021). "Curtis Blaydes on UFC 266, New 4-fight contract & Khabib ring girl comments" – via YouTube.
^ Mike Bohn (June 15, 2021). "Curtis Blaydes vs. Jairzinho Rozenstruik added to UFC 266" . mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Retrieved June 15, 2021 .
^ Anderson, Jay (September 25, 2021). "UFC 266 Results: Curtis Blaydes Survives Knee Strike, Wins Decision" . Cageside Press . Retrieved September 26, 2021 .
^ "Curtis Blaydes vs. Chris Daukuas to serve as new UFC Columbus headliner" . MMA Junkie . February 11, 2022. Retrieved February 11, 2022 .
^ Anderson, Jay (March 26, 2022). "UFC Columbus: Curtis Blaydes Lets Hands Do the Talking, Stops Chris Daukaus" . Cageside Press . Retrieved March 27, 2022 .
^ a b "UFC on ESPN 33 bonuses: Matt Brown, Bryan Barberena rewarded for all-out brawl" . MMA Junkie . March 27, 2022. Retrieved March 27, 2022 .
^ "Curtis Blaydes vs. Tom Aspinall slated for UFC London main event on July 23" . MMA Junkie . April 30, 2022. Retrieved May 2, 2022 .
^ "Tom Aspinall Injures Knee, Curtis Blaydes Wins UFC Fight Night 208 Main Event" . MMA Junkie . July 23, 2022. Retrieved July 23, 2022 .
^ Martin, Damon (February 22, 2023). "Curtis Blaydes vs. Sergei Pavlovich headlines UFC event on April 22" . MMA Fighting . Retrieved February 23, 2023 .
^ Dewar, Val (April 22, 2023). "UFC Vegas 71: Sergei Pavlovich Gets Sixth Straight First Round Knockout Against Curtis Blaydes" . Cageside Press . Retrieved April 24, 2023 .
^ Jed Meshew (June 1, 2023). "Curtis Blaydes vs. Jailton Almeida targeted for UFC main event in Sao Paulo" . mmafighting.com. Retrieved June 5, 2023 .
^ Nolan King and Mike Bohn (October 9, 2023). "Derrick Lewis replaces Curtis Blaydes, headlines UFC Sao Paulo vs. Jailton Almeida" . mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Retrieved October 9, 2023 .
^ Martin, Damon (December 12, 2023). "Jailton Almeida vs. Curtis Blaydes rebooked for UFC 299 in March" . MMA Fighting . Retrieved December 12, 2023 .
^ Dewar, Val (March 10, 2024). "Curtis Blaydes Scores Unbelievable Comeback TKO Win Over Almeida" . Cageside Press . Retrieved March 10, 2024 .
^ a b Dan Hiergesell (March 9, 2024). "Bonuses! Dustin Poirier's epic war with Benoit Saint Denis earns FOTN honors - UFC 299" . mmamania.com. Retrieved March 9, 2024 .
^ "UFC 304 official with Leon Edwards vs. Belal Muhammad headliner and more in Manchester" . MMA Junkie . May 16, 2024. Retrieved May 16, 2024 .
^ Jay Anderson (July 28, 2024). "UFC 304: Tom Aspinall Takes All Of A Minute to KO Curtis Blaydes" . cagesidepress.com. Retrieved July 28, 2024 .
^ Lee, Alexander K. (December 13, 2024). "Curtis Blaydes' return set for UFC Seattle" . MMA Fighting . Retrieved December 13, 2024 .
^ a b c UFC.com (June 5, 2023). "UFC Stats - Heavyweight Division" . ufc.com.
^ Omnisport (June 20, 2020). "Dana White tells Curtis Blaydes he made himself 'look stupid' after 'talking s***' " . sports.yahoo.com. Archived from the original on August 29, 2020. Retrieved June 21, 2020 .
^ "WRESTLING NATIONAL CHAMPIONS" (PDF) . Archived from the original (PDF) on February 26, 2020. Retrieved March 21, 2020 .
^ "NJCAA All Time All-American List – Wrestling" (PDF) .
^ Sherdog.com. "Curtis" . Sherdog . Retrieved September 7, 2019 .
External links
Updated to 10 December 2024