Curtis Blaydes Bio
Curtis Lionell Blaydes is an American professional mixed martial artist who competes in the Heavyweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). Nicknamed “Razor,” he has been a professional fighter since 2014 and is widely recognized for his wrestling base combined with growing knockout power. As of mid-2025, he ranks among the top contenders in the UFC heavyweight ladder.
Standing 193 centimeters tall with a 203-centimeter reach, Blaydes has compiled a strong professional record built on takedown pressure and finishing ability. He trains out of Elevation Fight Team in Lakewood, Colorado, and holds a purple belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
Early Life and Background
Curtis Lionell Blaydes was born on February 18, 1991, in Naperville, Illinois, and raised in nearby Chicago alongside his four other siblings. He attended the De La Salle Institute, where he first built the wrestling foundation that would later define his mixed martial arts career. During his time at the school, Blaydes also played American football as a defensive end.
On the wrestling mat, Blaydes compiled an undefeated 44–0 record in his senior year and won a state title. Across his four years of competition at De La Salle, he posted a 95–18 overall record with 121 takedowns, showcasing the grappling pedigree that would eventually carry him to the top of a major MMA promotion.
After high school, Blaydes earned a full wrestling scholarship to Northern Illinois University, where he went 9–2 as a redshirt freshman. He later transferred to Harper College, where he captured the NJCAA National Championship as a redshirt sophomore. Once he began competing in amateur mixed martial arts, he decided to leave school and pursue fighting full time.
Path to MMA
Before turning professional, Blaydes built an 8–0 amateur record and also earned an IKF amateur championship. His early striking and wrestling combination made him a quick study, and his development on the regional circuit drew attention from major promotions. He continued sharpening his grappling by training toward a purple belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
In 2014, Blaydes made the transition to professional mixed martial arts and immediately impressed, going 5–0 with all victories coming by way of technical knockout. That finishing rate, paired with his wrestling credentials, earned him a contract with the UFC.
Curtis Blaydes Career
Early Career (2014–2016)
Blaydes launched his professional career in 2014 and tore through the regional scene, finishing every opponent he faced by TKO. His undefeated streak and wrestling-heavy style attracted the attention of UFC matchmakers, leading to a short stint with Resurrection Fighting Alliance before he signed with the major promotion.
During this developmental stretch, Blaydes also began refining his training environment, eventually linking up with Elevation Fight Team and a brief stint at Dutch Style MMA. These early team changes laid the groundwork for the well-rounded skill set he would showcase on the sport’s biggest stage.
UFC Breakthrough (2016–2018)
Blaydes made his UFC debut on April 10, 2016, at UFC Fight Night 86 against Francis Ngannou, losing via second-round TKO due to a doctor stoppage. He bounced back at UFC Fight Night 96 with a second-round TKO of Cody East, earning his first UFC Performance of the Night bonus. He followed that with another TKO win over Adam Milstead at UFC Fight Night 104, though the result was later changed to a no contest after testing issues.
At UFC 213, Blaydes picked up a unanimous decision over Daniel Omielańczuk and then defeated Alexey Oleynik via TKO at UFC 217. His 2018 campaign began with a decision win over Mark Hunt at UFC 221, followed by a third-round TKO of Alistair Overeem at UFC 225 that earned him another Performance of the Night bonus. A November 2018 rematch with Ngannou at UFC Fight Night 141 ended in a first-round TKO loss.
Establishing a Contender (2019–2021)
Blaydes opened 2019 with a unanimous decision over Justin Willis at UFC Fight Night 148, leaning heavily on takedowns. He then stopped Shamil Abdurakhimov at UFC 242 and Junior dos Santos at UFC Fight Night 166, both by second-round TKO. A June 2020 clash with Alexander Volkov at UFC Fight Night ended in a clear unanimous decision victory, cementing his status as a ranked contender.
A scheduled bout with Derrick Lewis at UFC on ESPN fell through after Blaydes tested positive for coronavirus. The pair finally met at UFC Fight Night 185 in February 2021, where Blaydes was knocked out in the second round. After the loss, he became a free agent and signed a new four-fight deal with the UFC in May 2021.
Title Contention Era (2021–2024)
Returning to form, Blaydes outpointed Jairzinho Rozenstruik at UFC 266 and stopped Chris Daukaus at UFC on ESPN 33, earning another Performance of the Night award for the latter. He then defeated Tom Aspinall at UFC Fight Night 208 in July 2022 after Aspinall suffered an early knee injury, a victory that pushed Blaydes firmly into title-shot conversations.
His momentum stalled against Sergei Pavlovich at UFC Fight Night 222, where he was finished in the first round. After a withdrawal from a scheduled bout with Jailton Almeida, Blaydes resurfaced at UFC 299 in March 2024 and stopped Almeida by second-round TKO after landing decisive ground-and-pound, again earning a Performance of the Night bonus. On July 27, 2024, at UFC 304, he challenged Tom Aspinall for the Interim UFC Heavyweight Championship and was knocked out one minute into the opening round.
Elevation Fight Team Era (2016–Present)
Blaydes has been based at Elevation Fight Team since 2016 and continues to train in Lakewood, Colorado. The team has been central to his evolution from regional prospect to perennial heavyweight contender, providing consistent wrestling coaching and high-level sparring partners.
Within the UFC roster, Blaydes has settled into the role of a gatekeeper and title eliminator. His 2025 return came on June 21 at UFC on ABC 8, where he earned a split decision over Rizvan Kuniev after the bout had been rescheduled multiple times due to illness and logistical shifts.
Driving Style and Strengths
Blaydes is best known for his smothering top control and high-volume takedown game, the product of an elite folkstyle wrestling background. He has steadily added finishing power to his arsenal, with several second-round TKOs against top heavyweights. His willingness to mix clinch work, elbows, and ground-and-pound makes him dangerous even when opponents survive the initial wrestling exchanges.
Notable Events and Milestones
His signature win to date is the 2024 second-round TKO of Jailton Almeida at UFC 299, which proved he could finish a top-five opponent on the ground. Multiple Performance of the Night bonuses and a spot in an interim heavyweight title fight at UFC 304 underscore his place among the elite of the division.
Curtis Blaydes Career Wins
Across his professional career, Curtis Blaydes has earned 19 victories in 25 total bouts, with five losses and one no contest. Of his wins, six have come by decision, five by knockout, and none by submission, reflecting his preference for grinding opponents down with wrestling and top pressure. He has been a consistent finisher inside the UFC, particularly when given top position against tiring heavyweights.
UFC Highlights
Blaydes owns multiple UFC Performance of the Night bonuses, including wins over Cody East, Alistair Overeem, Chris Daukaus, and Jailton Almeida. His decision victories over Mark Hunt, Justin Willis, Alexander Volkov, and Jairzinho Rozenstruik show his ability to control elite heavyweights across full rounds. Most recently, he added a split decision over Rizvan Kuniev at UFC on ABC 8.
Other Wins and Performances
Before joining the UFC, Blaydes went 5–0 as a professional, all by TKO, after compiling an 8–0 amateur record. He also captured an IKF amateur championship during his developmental years.
Curtis Blaydes Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Blaydes grew up in the Chicago area as one of five siblings. His family supported his athletic development from an early age, which allowed him to focus on wrestling and, later, football at the De La Salle Institute.
Personal Life
Curtis Blaydes is the father of a daughter. He currently resides in Lakewood, Colorado, where he trains with Elevation Fight Team.
2025 Season Performance
Blaydes entered 2025 still working his way back into title contention following his interim championship loss to Tom Aspinall in July 2024. A planned bout with Rizvan Kuniev was pushed from February to March, then shifted again after Blaydes withdrew from UFC 313 due to illness.
The fight was eventually rebooked for June 21, 2025, at UFC on ABC 8, where Blaydes secured a split decision victory. The win returned him to the win column and kept him in the upper tier of the heavyweight rankings, though most media outlets scored the bout in favor of his opponent.
Looking ahead, Blaydes remains a relevant name in the UFC heavyweight title picture. With a stable home at Elevation Fight Team and a new multi-fight deal, he is positioned to chase another high-profile matchup as the division continues to evolve around him.