Curtis Blaydes is one of the most formidable heavyweights in the UFC, possessing knockout power and excellent timing. His arsenal includes heavy strikes, complemented by strong wrestling, making him a versatile and dangerous opponent.
Throughout his career, he has secured victories over fighters like Jailton Almeida (knockout), Chris Daukaus (technical knockout), and Tom Aspinall (technical knockout). However, despite his impressive track record, Blaydes has also tasted defeat, losing to Tom Aspinall (knockout) and Sergei Pavlovich (technical knockout). These setbacks highlight certain weaknesses in his style, particularly against fighters with solid striking technique and aggressive pressure.
Blaydes’ Key Advantage – Experience against UFC’s elite and powerful knockout ability. If he lands a clean shot on Kuniev, the Russian may struggle to recover. Additionally, Blaydes has a more well-rounded skillset, giving him the ability to adapt mid-fight.
Rizvan Kuniev is a young and ambitious fighter who has yet to gain experience at the elite UFC level. Nevertheless, his performances in other promotions suggest significant potential. He has excellent distance control, a powerful strike, and solid wrestling. His record includes victories over Hugo Cani (technical knockout), Anthony Hamilton (submission), and Edivan Santos (technical knockout).
While he has not yet faced opponents of Blaydes’ caliber, his physical attributes, technique, and hunger for victory could present a serious challenge. However, the key question is whether he can withstand the pressure and power of an opponent who has already fought against the world’s top heavyweights.
This fight promises to be exciting, as both fighters prefer an aggressive stand-up style. From the opening seconds, they are expected to trade heavy blows, aiming to cause significant damage. Kuniev’s Key Advantage – High tempo and versatility. He can switch tactics, combining wrestling and striking to keep his opponent guessing. Analyzing the fighters’ styles and histories, it is likely that Curtis Blaydes is the favorite to win. His power, experience, and overall skillset make him the more probable victor odds 1.56.
Of course, in MMA, anything can happen, and Kuniev has the potential to surprise. However, betting on Blaydes appears to be the safer choice. Most likely, he will either finish his opponent early or secure a dominant decision victory.
This fight is a significant test for Rizvan Kuniev and an opportunity for Curtis Blaydes to solidify his position in the heavyweight division. Fans can expect an electrifying showdown where every strike could be decisive. On February 23, we will find out whether Blaydes confirms his favorite status or if Kuniev makes a bold statement on the global UFC stage.
Curtis Blaydes enters the upcoming fight as the clear favorite, with his powerful striking and UFC experience giving him a significant edge. Rizvan Kuniev is a promising talent, but he has yet to face an opponent of Blaydes’ caliber. Blaydes’ superior knockout power and wrestling should allow him to control the fight and dictate the pace.
Our prediction – Blaydes wins by TKO in Round 2 at odds of 1.56.
