Curtis Blaydes (fighter)

Curtis Lionell Blaydes (born February 18, 1991) is an American professional mixed martial artist, currently competing in the Heavyweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). A professional since 2014, he formerly competed for the Resurrection Fighting Alliance (RFA). As of May 10, 2021, he is #4 in the UFC heavyweight rankings.

Background

Blaydes was born in Naperville, Illinois and raised in nearby Chicago along with his four other siblings. He began wrestling for the De La Salle Institute, winning a state title his senior year while also compiling an undefeated 44–0 record. During his four years, Blaydes compiled an overall record of 95–18 with 121 takedowns. Blaydes also played football for De La Salle as a defensive end. He later earned a full wrestling scholarship to Northern Illinois University. After going 19–2 as a redshirt freshman at NIU, he transferred to Harper College. At Harper, Blaydes won the NJCAA National Championship as a redshirt sophomore. After he began fighting in amateur mixed martial arts, Blaydes left school to focus on a career in MMA.

Mixed martial arts career

Early career

Blaydes compiled an 8–0 amateur record before turning professional in 2014. He then went 5–0, with all wins via TKO, before being signed by the UFC.

Ultimate Fighting Championship

Blaydes made his promotional debut against Francis Ngannou on April 10, 2016 at UFC Fight Night 86. He lost the fight via TKO at the conclusion of the second round due to doctor stoppage.

Blaydes next faced Cody East on October 1, 2016 at UFC Fight Night 96. He won the fight via TKO in the second round, winning his first UFC Performance of the Night bonus.

Blaydes faced Adam Milstead on February 4, 2017 at UFC Fight Night 104. After dominating action throughout the first round, Blaydes won the fight via TKO after Milstead sustained a knee injury. Subsequently, the result was changed to a No Contest after Blaydes tested positive for marijuana.

Blaydes faced Daniel Omielańczuk on July 8, 2017 at UFC 213. He won the fight by unanimous decision.

Blaydes faced Alexey Oleynik on November 4, 2017 at UFC 217. He won the fight via TKO due to a doctor stoppage. The referee stopped the fight after Blaydes delivered an illegal kick to a downed opponent and called a doctor to check on Oliynyk. The fight was stopped due to the doctor's advice. The replay, however, showed the strike did not deliver significant damage (as it only grazed the ear), and the fight was ruled a TKO win for Blaydes.

Blaydes faced Mark Hunt on February 11, 2018 at UFC 221. He won the fight via unanimous decision.

Blaydes faced Alistair Overeem on June 9, 2018 at UFC 225. He won the fight via TKO due to elbows in the third round. This win earned him the Performance of the Night bonus.

Blaydes faced Francis Ngannou in a rematch on November 24, 2018 in the main event at UFC Fight Night 141 He lost the fight via TKO early into the first round.

Blaydes faced Justin Willis on March 23, 2019 at UFC Fight Night 148. In the fight Blaydes continually took Willis down and controlled him and also scored a knockdown in the second round. He won the fight via dominant unanimous decision.

Blaydes faced Shamil Abdurakhimov on September 7, 2019 at UFC 242. He won the fight via TKO in the second round.

Blaydes faced Junior dos Santos on January 25, 2020 at UFC Fight Night 166. He won the fight via technical knockout in the second round.

Blaydes faced Alexander Volkov on June 20, 2020 at UFC Fight Night: Blaydes vs. Volkov. He won the fight via unanimous decision (49–46, 48–47, and 48–46).

Blaydes was scheduled to face Derrick Lewis on November 28, 2020 at UFC on ESPN: Blaydes vs. Lewis. However, he tested positive for coronavirus and thus, the bout was scrapped. The pair was rescheduled for UFC Fight Night 185 on February 20, 2021. Blaydes lost the fight via knockout in the second round. He became a free agent after fighting out his contract, and signed a new four-fight deal with the UFC in May.

Blaydes faced Jairzinho Rozenstruik on September 25, 2021 at UFC 266. Blaydes won the fight via unanimous decision.

Blaydes is scheduled to face Chris Daukaus on March 26, 2022 at UFC Fight Night 205.

Personal life

Blaydes and his fiancée Alexandria have a daughter, Harlie.

Championships and accomplishments

Mixed martial arts

Ultimate Fighting Championship

Performance of the Night (Two times) vs. Cody East and Alistair Overeem[27]

Most takedowns in a fight in UFC Heavyweight division history (14)[45]

Folkstyle wrestling

National Junior College Athletic Association

NJCAA HWT National Championship out of Harper College (2012)[46]

NJCAA All-American out of Harper College (2012)