Curtis Blaydes could have to attend a couple of extra weeks for his try to rebound from an interim title fight loss to Tom Aspinall.
The heavyweight matchup between Blaydes (18-5 MMA, 13-5 UFC) and octagon newcomer Rizvan Kuniev, which was originally scheduled to happen at UFC Fight Night 252 on Feb. 22 in Seattle, has now been shifted to UFC 313 on March 8 in Las Vegas.
An individual with knowledge of the situation told MMA Junkie of the change on Wednesday, but the precise reason for the change in date is unknown. The person requested anonymity since the promotion has yet to make an official announcement.
Blaydes, No. 7 in the newest USA TODAY Sports/MMA Junkie heavyweight rankings, got the rematch with Aspinall for the interim belt after a 4-1 stretch that included a victory over Aspinall by injury TKO. “Razor,” now 33, has been a notable a part of the division since his debut in April 2016, and can look to begin his construct back as much as contention.
He could have to do against Kuniev (13-2-1 MMA, 0-0 UFC), who was signed to the UFC in August following a first-round TKO win at DWCS 68. The 32-year-old has also faced notable similar to PFL’s Renan Ferreira and UFC veterans Anthony Hamilton and Justin Willis.
Kuniev was speculated to make his debut at UFC 310 in December, but opponent Martin Buday withdrew and the matchup was scratched. Now after one other delay, he’ll hope the third time’s the charm to make his official debut.
The newest UFC 313 lineup now includes:
- Alex Pereira vs. Magomed Ankalaev – for light heavyweight title
- Justin Gaethje vs. Dan Hooker
- Iasmin Lucindo vs. Amanda Lemos
- Brunno Ferreira vs. Armen Petrosyan
- Ozzy Diaz vs. Djorden Santos
- Carlos Leal vs. Alex Morono
- Francis Marshall vs. Mairon Santos
- Bruno Silva vs. Joshua Van
- Chris Gutierrez vs. Jean Matsumoto
- King Green vs. Mauricio Ruffy
- Curtis Blaydes vs. Rizvan Kuniev
For more on the cardboard, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 313.
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