Curtis Bladyes vs Rizvan Kuniev

Curtis Blaydes, former interim title challenger faces Rizvan Kuniev in what will be Kuniev's UFC debut.

Core Stats Comparison

** This is Kuniev's UFC debut(having two appearances on DWCS)

Striking Breakdown:

Despite a limited UFC sample size, Rizvan Kuniev has shown solid efficiency on the feet, landing 5.82 significant strikes per minute while absorbing just 1.25, giving him a striking differential of +4.57.

Curtis Blaydes, meanwhile, has faced much stiffer competition and still posts solid numbers—3.54 SLpM with 1.91 absorbed—over a far more extensive UFC resume. Kuniev also leads in accuracy at 72% vs. Blaydes’ 50%, with both fighters sharing a 55% striking defense.

Grappling Breakdown:

Here’s where Blaydes shines. A dominant wrestler, he averages an astounding 5.69 takedowns per 15 minutes, nearly doubling Kuniev’s 2.82. However, Kuniev edges him in takedown accuracy (75% vs 53%) and holds a perfect 100% takedown defense, compared to Blaydes’ 31%.

Still, Kuniev's grappling stats should be taken with caution—they’re drawn from DWCS and lower-level UFC matchups, whereas Blaydes has been battling the division’s elite.

Summary:

Statistically, Kuniev appears sharper, especially in striking and defensive efficiency. However, the context matters—his numbers come from a much smaller and less competitive sample. Blaydes brings years of UFC experience, top-tier wrestling, and has consistently faced the best heavyweights in the world. If Blaydes can impose his grappling, his experience and relentless takedown volume give him the edge in this matchup.