Curtis Blaydes
Razor
USA
Gets right back in win column
Blaydes defeated Waldo Cortes-Acosta via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) at UFC Noche 4 on Saturday in Glendale, Arizona.
ANALYSIS
When we last saw Blaydes in April, he was dropping a unanimous decision to Josh Hokit in what was a Fight of the Year candidate. Here, in his return to the Octagon, he got the win in what was one of the most boring bouts in recent memory. The two men combined to land 52 significant strikes over the course of 15 minutes. You'd be hard-pressed to remember even a single notable one. The good news for Curtis, and what was the difference in the fight, was his four successful takedowns on ten attempts. Set to turn 36 years old next February, Blaydes needs to find victories wherever he can. He's alternated wins and losses in his past seven bouts.
When we last saw Blaydes in April, he was dropping a unanimous decision to Josh Hokit in what was a Fight of the Year candidate. Here, in his return to the Octagon, he got the win in what was one of the most boring bouts in recent memory. The two men combined to land 52 significant strikes over the course of 15 minutes. You'd be hard-pressed to remember even a single notable one. The good news for Curtis, and what was the difference in the fight, was his four successful takedowns on ten attempts. Set to turn 36 years old next February, Blaydes needs to find victories wherever he can. He's alternated wins and losses in his past seven bouts.
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WCA at UFC Noche
Blaydes will fight fellow heavyweight Waldo Cortes-Acosta at UFC Noche on Sept. 12, according to Marcel Dorff of Heavy on Sports.
ANALYSIS
Blaydes versus Cortes-Acosta will not be at UFC 331 on Sept. 19, instead a week earlier during the promotion's biggest Fight Night. Both heavyweights are attempting to redeem themselves after recent losses. Blaydes lost a hard-fought battle to Josh Hokit, and Cortes-Acosta was held in check by Alexander Volkov, both victors top contenders.
Blaydes versus Cortes-Acosta will not be at UFC 331 on Sept. 19, instead a week earlier during the promotion's biggest Fight Night. Both heavyweights are attempting to redeem themselves after recent losses. Blaydes lost a hard-fought battle to Josh Hokit, and Cortes-Acosta was held in check by Alexander Volkov, both victors top contenders.
Taking on Cortes-Acosta
Blaydes will fight Waldo Cortes-Acosta in a heavyweight bout at UFC 331 on September 19, Marcel Dorff of Heavy on Sports reports.
ANALYSIS
Blaydes is coming off a war against Josh Hokit in April, a fight that set a UFC heavyweight record with 351 combined significant strikes, though he ultimately lost by unanimous decision. The veteran heavyweight has alternated wins and losses over his last six fights dating back to July 2022. He takes on Cortes-Acosta, who dropped a unanimous decision to Alexander Volkov in May. Blaydes is looking for a return to the win column and a chance to spark another run at the heavyweight title.
Blaydes is coming off a war against Josh Hokit in April, a fight that set a UFC heavyweight record with 351 combined significant strikes, though he ultimately lost by unanimous decision. The veteran heavyweight has alternated wins and losses over his last six fights dating back to July 2022. He takes on Cortes-Acosta, who dropped a unanimous decision to Alexander Volkov in May. Blaydes is looking for a return to the win column and a chance to spark another run at the heavyweight title.
Legendary effort in defeat
Blaydes lost to Josh Hokit via unanimous decision (28-29, 28-29, 28-29) at UFC 327 on Saturday in Miami.
ANALYSIS
Unlike the last fight, when both men saw their stock drop considerably, Blaydes and Hokit see their respective stocks go through the roof in what was one of the greatest heavyweight bouts of all time. Curtis is certainly going to be getting a $100,000 Fight of the Night bonus for his efforts (later confirmed by Dana White), although that's not going to help him in terms of the rankings. Blaydes was actually hopelessly outclassed here in terms of speed and overall effectiveness, but Hokit fought foolishly, and that allowed the former plenty of chances to earn the win. Ultimately, Curtis became increasingly less effective as the fight progressed, while the notable damage came from the Hokit side the entire fight. Blaydes turned 35 years old in February and has alternated losses and wins over his last six fights dating back to July 2022. It's far more likely than not we have already seen the best he has to offer inside the Octagon.
Unlike the last fight, when both men saw their stock drop considerably, Blaydes and Hokit see their respective stocks go through the roof in what was one of the greatest heavyweight bouts of all time. Curtis is certainly going to be getting a $100,000 Fight of the Night bonus for his efforts (later confirmed by Dana White), although that's not going to help him in terms of the rankings. Blaydes was actually hopelessly outclassed here in terms of speed and overall effectiveness, but Hokit fought foolishly, and that allowed the former plenty of chances to earn the win. Ultimately, Curtis became increasingly less effective as the fight progressed, while the notable damage came from the Hokit side the entire fight. Blaydes turned 35 years old in February and has alternated losses and wins over his last six fights dating back to July 2022. It's far more likely than not we have already seen the best he has to offer inside the Octagon.
Hokit up next
Blaydes (knee) is scheduled to compete against fellow heavyweight Josh Hokit at UFC 327 in Miami on April 11, per Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl.
ANALYSIS
Half a year after popping his MCL, Blaydes is ready to fight. He will look to build on the positive momentum by defeating Hokit, not officially a newcomer but a promising one with wins in both his UFC bouts. Blaydes is fighting off a split-decision win over Rizvan Kuniev.
Half a year after popping his MCL, Blaydes is ready to fight. He will look to build on the positive momentum by defeating Hokit, not officially a newcomer but a promising one with wins in both his UFC bouts. Blaydes is fighting off a split-decision win over Rizvan Kuniev.
Barely gets past newcomer
Blaydes defeated Rizvan Kuniev via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28) at UFC Fight Night on Saturday in Baku, Azerbaijan.
ANALYSIS
Blaydes managed to leave Azerbaijan with the No. 5 ranking he came in with, but boy did he have to work for it. He easily won Round 1 on the strength of two takedowns and 3:01 worth of control time, only to fail on his last six attempts over the course of the final 10 minutes. For what it's worth, Blaydes said in his post-fight interview that he "popped" his MCL in the opening frame and was labored the rest of the way. The sudden ineffectiveness suggests that might be true. Regardless, Blaydes is going to continue to remain in title-implicating bouts despite the fact he's just 2-2 in his past four fights dating back to April 2023.
Blaydes managed to leave Azerbaijan with the No. 5 ranking he came in with, but boy did he have to work for it. He easily won Round 1 on the strength of two takedowns and 3:01 worth of control time, only to fail on his last six attempts over the course of the final 10 minutes. For what it's worth, Blaydes said in his post-fight interview that he "popped" his MCL in the opening frame and was labored the rest of the way. The sudden ineffectiveness suggests that might be true. Regardless, Blaydes is going to continue to remain in title-implicating bouts despite the fact he's just 2-2 in his past four fights dating back to April 2023.