Curtis Blaydes vs. Rizvan Kuniev prediction, choose, time

[ad_1] Curtis Blaydes and Rizvan Kuniev meet Saturday on the primary card of UFC on ABC 8 at Baku Crystal Corridor in Baku, Azerbaijan. Take a look at this fast breakdown of the matchup from MMA Junkie analyst Dan Tom.

Final occasion: 5-1

UFC fundamental playing cards, 2025: 57-44-1

Curtis Blaydes vs. Rizvan Kuniev UFC Baku preview Blaydes (18-5 MMA, 13-5 UFC) goals to rebound from an interim title problem loss in opposition to Tom Aspinall final July. Within the struggle prior, "Razor" stopped Jailton Almeida within the second spherical with floor and pound, incomes his fourth profession Efficiency of the Evening bonus. All through his whole profession, Blaydes has by no means misplaced back-to-back fights. ... Kuniev (13-2-1 MMA, 0-0 UFC) makes his UFC debut in opposition to one of many hardest exams within the division. After a first-round end in his second look on Dana White's Contender Sequence in August, Kuniev will get a possibility to show himself underneath the UFC's brilliant lights.

Curtis Blaydes vs. Rizvan Kuniev UFC Baku professional choose, prediction Filling out the primary card is a struggle that the UFC has been making an attempt to place collectively for a while now between Curtis Blaydes and Rizvan Kuniev.

Regardless of Kuniev being model new to the division, he is being matched up with one of many top-ranked perennial contenders in Blaydes.

Kuniev's finest win is an overturned no-contest to Renan Ferreira, the place the Sanda fighter confirmed some grappling chops from each optimistic and unfavourable positions. That stated, Kuniev will possible have a more durable time getting that form of sport going in opposition to a fighter who can each match him in dimension and wrestling.

Blaydes has seemingly deserted his wrestling quicker than Daniel Plainview deserted his son lately, however that does not change the truth that he is one in all a literal handful of heavyweights who can really wrestle, which counts for lots.

I am not choosing this struggle as confidently as I must be, however the choose is for Blaydes to remain secure and safe a win by unanimous determination.

Curtis Blaydes vs. Rizvan Kuniev UFC Baku odds The oddsmakers and the general public favor the American, itemizing Blaydes -260 and Kuniev +205 by way of FanDuel.

Curtis Blaydes vs. Rizvan Kuniev UFC Baku begin time, learn how to watch Blaydes and Kuniev are anticipated to stroll to the cage at roughly 4:35 p.m. ET. The struggle broadcasts on ABC, ESPN and ESPN+.