Former PFL heavyweight Rizvan Kuniev made his promotional debut at UFC Baku against a very formidable foe in Curtis Blaydes.
That’s exactly the kind of opponent Kuniev, a Dagestani standout with two wins on the Contender Series, had been asking for. Kuniev had even earned a win over PFL star Renan Ferreira, until it was overturned when he failed a drug test.
Blaydes wasted no time, shooting in for a powerful double leg and securing the early takedown to kick off his UFC Baku main card fight. Kuniev quickly scrambled back to his feet, but Blaydes maintained control with a strong body lock against the cage. There wasn’t much offense, but Blaydes racked up significant control time. Kuniev struggled to break free, as each of his attempts to move was matched step-for-step by Blaydes. Eventually, Kuniev managed to create separation, though he appeared wary of another takedown. In the final moments of the round, Kuniev began to inch forward behind his punches while Blaydes moved his head defensively and shot for a single leg just before the horn.
Round two opened with Blaydes shooting again, but Kuniev shrugged it off. Blaydes looked to capitalize on Kuniev’s leg kicks with reactive shots, but couldn’t convert. Kuniev started to find his rhythm, doubling up the jab and landing a clean straight right. That was easily the most significant strike of the fight to that point. He looked like the more polished striker at range, while Blaydes was upright, predictable, and not showing much in the way of feints. Though Blaydes eventually timed a couple of decent entries, his attempts at takedowns were stuffed. Kuniev looked settled and confident, defending everything well and beginning to mark up Blaydes’ face with sharp strikes.
Entering round three, the fight appeared even at one round apiece. Early on, Kuniev timed a well-placed knee as Blaydes came forward. Blaydes, clearly frustrated and getting picked apart on the feet, became more desperate in his pursuit of a takedown. But even when he got deep on Kuniev’s legs, he couldn’t finish. Kuniev remained upright, defended cleanly, and continued landing the more effective shots down the stretch.
Come the scorecards, it was a split decision, and the eighth decision of the card to that point.
Official Result: Curtis Blaydes def. Rizvan Kuniev by split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)
