Another event, another knee injury.
Former Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Heavyweight title challenger Curtis Blaydes squeaked by UFC rookie Rizvan Kuniev, scoring a split decision this past weekend (Sat., June 21, 2025) on UFC Baku main card inside Baku Crystal Hall in Baku, Azerbaijan.
Blaydes dominated the first round with his elite wrestling, controlling Kuniev effectively. However, a torn MCL sustained during the opening round forced him to abandon his wrestling-based strategy, leaving him vulnerable in stand-up exchanges for much of the fight.
“My MCL popped or tweaked in the first round. I went to lift him, it gave, and I had to throw the game plan out and switch to an audible on the move,” Blaydes told UFC.com after his win. “I’m happy I was able to figure it out because I literally had to rethink how to step, how to move, how to shoot on the fly—that’s a credit to my experience and being in the UFC for so many years.”
Blaydes acknowledged the challenges posed by his injury
“I know I can do better, but given the circumstances of being injured, that’s what you guys got,” Blaydes said. “My corner wanted me to be first because he was tagging me when I was just sitting and waiting, which obviously you should do. But I was waiting because I was trying to figure out how to move with my knee, and that’s when he was catching me. He was interrupting me, which is what I should have been doing to him…I had to rethink how to fight.”
It was extremely close, but a win is a win, and Blaydes got himself back into the winning column, his first fight back since getting knocked out by Tom Aspinall (watch highlights).
“Razor” is hoping to be back by the end of the year after his knee heals and wants a ranked opponent.
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For more UFC Baku results, coverage and highlights click HERE.
