Latest news with #CurtisBlaydes
Yahoo
9 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Curtis Blaydes: UFC Baku fight vs. newcomer Rizvan Kuniev 'doesn't help me at all'
Curtis Blaydes believes he's stuck in neutral ahead of UFC on ABC 8. In his first appearance since challenging for the interim heavyweight title last year, Blaydes (18-5 MMA, 13-5 UFC) will welcome newcomer Rizvan Kuniev to the promotion. UFC on ABC 8 (ABC, ESPN, ESPN+) takes place Saturday at Baku Crystal Hall in Baku, Azerbaijan. Advertisement "My expectations for the fight this weekend are same as always: I expect to win," Blaydes told reporters at media day. While Blaydes aims to get back into the win column after losing an interim title bid against Tom Aspinall at UFC 304, the heavyweight wrestler doesn't see the matchup against Kuniev (13-2-1 MMA, 0-0 UFC) as one that will get him closer to title contention. "This fight doesn't help me at all," Blaydes said. "This guy is unranked. So, I could knock him out with a flying knee – it doesn't matter." It's rare that a promotionally ranked top-five fighter would face an unranked fighter, but circumstances made it necessary for Blaydes. While Kuniev may not be a name that will help him move back up the ladder, it will help his bank account. Since his pay is the same whether or not there's a number next to his opponent's name, Blaydes decided it was time to collect a paycheck. Advertisement "If you look at the availability of guys, there wasn't anyone available," Blaydes said. "Who wants to wait? I haven't had a fight since last July. I'd like to make some money this year." Blaydes recognizes that Kuniev is a threat inside the cage, but he views all heavyweights as such due to one-punch knockout power. If he's able to avoid that big shot and find a finish of his own, "Razor" Blaydes would love to get back into position to fight for the title soon, but he knows he'll have more work to do. "I would love to fight for the title," Blaydes said. "That would be another $800 grand in my pocket, but it's not gonna happen, so I'm not even gonna put that in my mind. Having that expectation would just lead to me being disappointed, and I don't want to be disappointed. So, I'll be realistic: I'll probably need another fight." This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Curtis Blaydes fighting at UFC Baku for paycheck, not rankings boost
BBC News
10 hours ago
- Sport
- BBC News
Heavyweights call for Jones to be stripped - what happens next?
With the future of the UFC heavyweight division continuing to remain unclear, a number of fighters have called for Jon Jones to be stripped of his Jones last fought in November, defending his belt against Stipe Miocic instead of facing Britain's interim champion Tom 32, has held the interim belt for 18 months and despite a number of pleas for a unification bout with Jones, the fight has yet to president Dana White says the promotion has been trying to finalise the contest, but Jones is yet to commit, teasing Aspinall on social media and hinting at his heavyweight bout in Baku, Azerbaijan this weekend, American Curtis Blaydes said the UFC should take the title off Jones."If he doesn't fight I would like him to be stripped. We all get it. He's the GOAT, he's great, but if you're not going to be active, what are you doing holding the belt?" said Blaydes."I get what he's doing. He enjoys this. He enjoys his name being talked about. I'm over it already."Blaydes' opponent Risvan Kuniev echoed his thoughts, calling for Jones to be stripped and describing Aspinall as the "true champion".With the UFC heavyweight division in still in limbo, BBC Sport looks at what could happen next. Jones v Aspinall actually happens This is the ideal scenario with White describing the potential matchup as the "biggest heavyweight fight in UFC history".Jones, 37, is a former light-heavyweight champion and widely considered one of, if not the best, MMA fighter of all has an overall record of 28 wins, one loss and one no-contest, and holds the record for most title fight wins in the UFC, with meanwhile, has finished all eight of his fights in the UFC and holds a number of records, including the shortest fight time average in the promotion's history, at two minutes and two UFC are trying to make the fight happen with New York in November and Las Vegas in December being the most likely options for the event to take wants the bout, but the sticking point is has been non-committal, suggesting he is retired, saying fighting Aspinall does "nothing for his legacy", and instead calling out former champion Francis the months tick by with no solution between the UFC, Jones and Aspinall, hopes of the bout taking place are dwindling. Aspinall is promoted to undisputed Should Jones be stripped or bring the curtain down on his distinguished career like he has been hinting, Aspinall would become the first Briton to unify the UFC heavyweight is 586 days since Aspinall beat Sergei Pavlovich with his interim title reign being the longest in UFC previous record was former interim bantamweight title holder Renan Barao, with the Brazilian holding the belt for 534 Aspinall has repeatedly called for the bout with Jones, he has added that he has no problem with the American - he just wants to become the undisputed this month White described Aspinall as "the man" and said the Briton's next fight will be for the undisputed if Jones retires or is stripped of his belt, who could be the other contenders? Gane, Volkov and Almeida could challenge Should Aspinall be promoted to undisputed heavyweight champion, France's Ciryl Gane is the most likely candidate to first challenge for the 35-year-old is a former interim champion and has twice missed out on the undisputed crown - to Ngannou in 2022 and Jones the following the defeat by Jones, Gane has won two fights and climbed to second in the UFC heavyweight has previously called for a fight with Gane, but the bout didn't contenders who could face Aspinall are Russia's Alexander Volkov and Brazil's Jailton Almeida, with the Briton recently saying on his YouTube he had been training with the potential of fighting 36, is third in the heavyweight rankings and lost to Aspinall in has won four of his last five fights but suffered a narrow defeat in December to 33, meanwhile, is sixth in the UFC rankings and is on a two-fight win streak.
USA Today
2 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
UFC on ABC 8 pre-event facts: Curtis Blaydes joins exclusive club of heavyweight veterans
UFC on ABC 8 pre-event facts: Curtis Blaydes joins exclusive club of heavyweight veterans The UFC travel to new territory on Saturday with UFC on ABC 8 at Crystal Palace Hall in Baku, Azerbaijan. The main card aired on ABC following prelims on ESPN+. A key matchup in the light heavyweight division tops the card, with former champion Jamahal Hill (12-3 MMA, 6-3 UFC) set to clash with one-time title challenger Khalil Rountree Jr. (13-6 MMA, 9-6 UFC) in a five-round contest. For more on the numbers, check below for MMA Junkie's pre-event facts about UFC on ABC 8. Jamahal Hill vs. Khalil Rountree Jr. Jamahal Hill Hill enters the event on the first losing skid of his career. He hasn't earned a victory since January 2023. Hill is the first fighter to win a UFC title after signing with the promotion through Dana White's Contender Series. Sean O'Malley also accomplished the feat. Hill lands 6.76 significant strikes per minute in UFC light heavyweight competition, the second-highest rate in divisional history behind Carlos Ulberg (6.82). Hill landed 232 significant strikes at UFC 283, the single-fight record for a UFC light heavyweight bout. Khalil Rountree Jr. Rountree Jr.'s seven knockout victories in UFC light heavyweight competition are third-most in divisional history behind Chuck Liddell (nine) and Mauricio Rua (eight). Rountree Jr.'s 13 knockdowns landed in UFC light heavyweight competition are third-most in divisional history behind Liddell (14) and Rua (14). Rountree Jr.'s four knockdowns landed at UFC 236 are the single-fight record for a UFC light heavyweight bout. Rafael Fiziev vs. Ignacio Bahamondes Rafael Fiziev's (12-4 MMA, 6-4 UFC) three-fight listing skid is the longest of his career. He hasn't earned a victory since July 2022. Fiziev is one of 16 fighters in UFC history to earn a knockout stemming from a wheel kick. He accomplished the feat at UFC on ESPN 31. Fiziev defends 90 percent of opponent takedown attempts in UFC lightweight competition, the best rate among active fighters in the weight class. Ignacio Bahamondes (17-5 MMA, 6-2 UFC) is one of 16 fighters in UFC history to earn a knockout stemming from a spinning wheel kick. He accomplished the feat at UFC on ESPN 29. Curtis Blaydes vs. Rizvan Kuniev Curtis Blaydes (18-5 MMA, 13-5 UFC) becomes the ninth fighter in UFC history to make 20 or more heavyweight appearances. Blaydes' three knockout victories stemming from elbow strikes in UFC competition are tied with Paul Felder for most in company history. Blaydes' 62 takedowns landed in UFC heavyweight competition are most in divisional history. Blaydes' 14 takedowns landed against Alexander Volkov at UFC on ESPN 11 is the single-fight record for a UFC heavyweight bout. Blaydes' 14 takedowns landed at UFC on ESPN 11 are tied for the third-most in a single UFC fight behind Khabib Nurmagomedov (21 at UFC 160) and Sean Sherk (16 at UFC 73). Nazim Sadykhov vs. Nikolas Motta Nazim Sadykhov (10-1-1 MMA, 3-0-1 UFC) has earned nine of his 10 career victories by stoppage. That includes all three of his UFC wins. Tagir Ulanbekov vs. Azat Maksum Tagir Ulanbekov's (17-2 MMA, 5-1 UFC) three-fight UFC winning streak at flyweight is tied for the fourth-longest active streak in the division behind Alexandre Pantoja (seven), Andre Lima (four) and Joshua Van (four). UFC research analyst and live statistics producer Michael Carroll contributed to this story. Follow him on Twitter @MJCflipdascript.
Daily Mail
6 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Mail
Tom Aspinall opens up on sacrifice, his road to heavyweight greatness, Jon Jones' retirement and teases his next fight announcement
UFC interim heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall has confirmed that a fight announcement is imminent, ending months of frustration caused by what he calls 'politics outside of the cage.' The British star, who many believe is on the brink of greatness, also revealed he's at peace with failure and now fights without fear — a transformation that followed 'hard conversations' during his injury layoff in 2022 following the first Curtis Blaydes fight. 'I've got a fight coming up soon,' Aspinall told Mail Sport at the launch of his partnership with the sportswear brand Champion. 'I can't say anything else other than that, but there'll be an announcement in the next couple of weeks.' The 32-year-old hasn't competed since July 2024 when he avenged his defeat to Blaydes. His absence has drawn criticism toward the UFC's matchmaking at the top of the heavyweight division. Aspinall admits it's been his first real taste of the sport's murky politics, but insists he's confident everything will 'come good in the end'. 'There is a lot of politics involved in the sport unfortunately. That's just the nature of elite sport and something we have to deal with. But, it's not something I'd experienced much until the last 10 months,' he said. 'But I do believe it's going to come good in the end. I am looking forward to that moment and just focus on that moment.' Despite speculation around a possible showdown with Jon Jones, Aspinall brushed off concerns that such a clash may never materialise or affect his own legacy. When asked whether he could be considered the best in the sport if he never faces Jones in the cage, Aspinall said: 'That's someone else's opinion. That's for them to decide, not me. It doesn't really bother me too much. 'I'm not really thinking about that. At the end of the day, I can only control what I can control. I can only fight the people that are put in front of me and that is what I am doing. I never shy away from anyone. I never turn down anyone.' Aspinall may be one of the UFC's most dangerous men, but he didn't always carry the fearless mindset that defines him today. Before suffering a serious knee injury in 2022, he admits he built excuses into his career, a safety net to protect his pride if he failed. 'I don't have those built-in excuses anymore and I'm not scared of failure anymore. That's because I had some hard conversations with myself when I was out with my knee injury. 'It might sound cheesy, but I did. If I try my absolute best and fail, I can still look myself in the mirror. Whereas if don't fully commit and give it my all I wouldn't be able to,' he said. 'There are so many people walking around on planet Earth, and I'm not just talking MMA or another sport, but every day life that are scared to try to be the best because they are scared to fail or other people's opinion of them. People love it when you fail. 'People want to look at you and say "look at this idiot trying to be the best, he's never going to be able to do this". I'm not afraid of that anymore. I'm not afraid of trying and failing. I'm not afraid of trying my absolute best and not being good enough. That risk has put me in the position where I am today.' This change, he says, has unlocked a new version of himself, one that is fully committed, unapologetically bold, and unconcerned with public approval... most of the time. 'I go through phases to be honest. When it comes to the comments and stuff, I've had so many it doesn't really bother me anymore. Sometimes it does, of course, because I'm a human, but generally speaking, I try not to read into that kind of stuff. Try not to, but sometimes I do, obviously.' He went on to clarify: 'Sometimes I read too many comments, then I delete Instagram for a week. But I've had so many now, it doesn't really bother me anymore.' Aspinall's rise has not come without sacrifice. In his own words, he's given up 'basically everything' to reach the elite level. 'I think all fighters sacrifice a lot of stuff, but I think what separate the elite ones from the average ones, is the amount you sacrifice. You've got to consistently sacrifice stuff for a long period of time. We're talking social events, food, drinking, your body, your mind and financially too. There was a long time I had zero money.' And yet, even after climbing the ranks and achieving financial stability, he's not looking for the exit. He's not satisfied just yet. 'I achieved my dream a long time ago. Just fighting full time and not doing another job,' he said. 'But the dream of dreams is to be the best heavyweight of all time… and I feel like I'm right there.' So what keeps him going? 'Easy, because I love fighting. I don't even need motivation. I love MMA more than anyone I know. I live for it.' What fascinates Aspinall most isn't belts or pay cheques, it's the unknown. It's testing himself against the best in the division and seeing how far he can go. 'Every fight is its own challenge. One guy's got great grappling, another has good elbows. I love that curiosity - like, who's going to win? Let's find out.' It's that curiosity that has shaped his identity. MMA, he says, has taught him more about himself than anything else in life. 'The biggest thing I've learned is how determined I am and that is massive. I don't think a lot of people realise to get to the point where you're around this level, where I'm fighting right now, you have to be outrageously determined to get up every day and do it. 'It's tough. It's a really, really tough sport and I don't think people quite comprehend how difficult it is. There are people who might go into the gym and have a hard session one day, they might get a dead leg one day, they might have a sore neck the next day. Then the following day they're tired. 'I have done that every day for 20 years. I have blocked out distractions and voices saying take it easy today for years and years and years. I still continue to do it and I still continue to love it. I want more of it.' Asked how long he can keep that level of obsession going, Aspinall is honest: he doesn't know. 'Maybe two more fights, maybe 20. It's not something I'm thinking about a great deal right now.' View this post on Instagram A post shared by Champion (@championeurope) View this post on Instagram A post shared by Tom Aspinall (@tomaspinallofficial) While he awaits the announcement of his next opponent, Aspinall's focus remains on his ultimate goal - not just to become champion, but to stay one, and leave the sport on his terms. 'I want to get my job done and leave with all my faculties intact.' And if he could talk to the 10-year-old version of himself, the one who first dreamed of becoming a champion? 'I'd say I've done pretty good. But we're not done yet, there's still work to do. Keep at it, and keep enjoying it.'
Yahoo
10-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
UFC's Waldo Cortes-Acosta calls for top contender bout vs. Curtis Blaydes next
Waldo Cortes-Acosta wants to prove he's worthy of a UFC title shot, and he knows to do that he'll have to take difficult fights. The rising heavyweight contender called for one of the tougher challenges in the UFC heavyweight division following his unanimous decision win over Serghei Spivac this past Saturday at UFC 316. Cortes-Acosta (13-1 MMA, 6-1 UFC) wants to throw down with former UFC interim title challenger and long-time contender Curtis Blaydes. Advertisement "Like I told you before the fight, God willing, if UFC allows it, I'd like to fight against Curtis Blaydes," Cortes-Acosta told Hablemos MMA in Spanish. "I want to prepare 100 percent and give it my all, and see what happens. I can prepare myself physically better, and work hard like I always do. I do know that I need to work hard now that I'm facing these guys because they're more advanced, more experience." Cortes-Acosta, who's on a five-fight winning streak, thinks doesn't see himself too far from title contention, and thinks a win over Blaydes could close him that gap. The Dominican fighter sees a showdown against Blaydes very much like his fight on Saturday – a striking affair that will eventually get his opponent to start wrestling. "I think that's a fight that will mainly lay out in the feet, but the moment things get complicated for him, he's going to look for the takedowns," Cortes-Acosta said. "That's what happened in this fight When Spivac started having difficulty striking, he looked to take the fight to the ground because I started catching him. The moment I began connecting my jab, I thought, 'I found him. I got this.'" As far as his win over Spivac, some people online scored the fight for the Russian fighter despite Cortes-Acosta out landing Spivac in significant and total strikes in every round of the fight. He disagrees with the "robbery claims" and thought he clearly won the fight. Advertisement "The first round, I had a tough time figuring him out," Cortes-Acosta explained. "I was a little confused, and I couldn't find him with my jab. Then after, towards the end of Round 1, I began to find my jab. I do give him the first round. He looked better. However, in the second, my accumulation of strikes was too much. Then in the third, my coach said I connected more than 100 strikes. So yeah." This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: UFC's Waldo Cortes-Acosta calls for top contender bout vs. Curtis Blaydes next
