Latest news with #CurtisBlaydes
Yahoo
22-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Tom Aspinall's First Words in Reaction to Jon Jones' Announcement
Tom Aspinall's First Words in Reaction to Jon Jones' Announcement originally appeared on Athlon Sports. UFC heavyweight Tom Aspinall didn't need to fight Jon Jones to get the belt he was after. Advertisement Following UFC Baku on Saturday, June 21, Dana White confirmed that Jones had officially retired, making Aspinall the new undisputed UFC heavyweight champion amid a rather confusing night in Europe. The announcement brings closure to one of the most prolonged storylines in the division, even though it has featured no action inside the Octagon. 'Jon Jones called us last night and retired,' White said. 'Jon Jones is officially retired, and Tom Aspinall is the heavyweight champion of the UFC.' Aspinall, who had held the interim title since 2023, shared his response in a short message posted to Instagram while taking a subtle shot at Jones for delaying things so much before ultimately hanging up his gloves. 'For you fans,' Aspinall wrote. 'It's time to get this heavyweight division going. An active undisputed champion.' Advertisement Aspinall's post marks the end of a two-year standoff between Aspinall and Jones. Jones had publicly dismissed the idea of a unification bout multiple times, despite Aspinall compiling an 8–1 UFC record at heavyweight and defending the interim belt against Curtis Blaydes at UFC 304. A Jones-Aspinall clash never materialized, and with Jones' retirement now confirmed, Aspinall assumes full control of the division he's long sought to conquer. Tom Aspinall prior to a UFC fight at O2 Haljestam-Imagn Images Aspinall has stayed mostly quiet during the wait, hinting at potential announcements but never getting quite there, opting to let the belt and his résumé speak and putting the ball on Jones' court. Advertisement Now, contenders like Jailton Almeida, Ciryl Gane, and Alex Pereira are circling the new champion and are expected to enter conversations with the UFC for the first title defense in Aspinall's reign as the heavyweight champion, even if he never quite won the belt proper. Related: UFC World Reacts to Jon Jones' Unexpected Retirement Related: Jon Jones' Major Retirement Decision Sparks Confusion This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 22, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
21-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Curtis Blaydes vs. Rizvan Kuniev prediction, pick, start time for UFC on ABC 8
Curtis Blaydes and Rizvan Kuniev meet Saturday on the main card of UFC on ABC 8 at Baku Crystal Hall in Baku, Azerbaijan. Check out this quick breakdown of the matchup from MMA Junkie analyst Dan Tom. Last event: 5-1 Advertisement UFC main cards, 2025: 57-44-1 Curtis Blaydes vs. Rizvan Kuniev UFC Baku preview Blaydes (18-5 MMA, 13-5 UFC) aims to rebound from an interim title challenge loss against Tom Aspinall last July. In the fight prior, "Razor" stopped Jailton Almeida in the second round with ground and pound, earning his fourth career Performance of the Night bonus. Throughout his entire career, Blaydes has never lost back-to-back fights. ... Kuniev (13-2-1 MMA, 0-0 UFC) makes his UFC debut against one of the toughest tests in the division. After a first-round finish in his second appearance on Dana White's Contender Series in August, Kuniev gets an opportunity to prove himself under the UFC's bright lights. Curtis Blaydes vs. Rizvan Kuniev UFC Baku expert pick, prediction Filling out the main card is a fight that the UFC has been trying to put together for some time now between Curtis Blaydes and Rizvan Kuniev. Advertisement Despite Kuniev being brand new to the division, he's being matched up with one of the top-ranked perennial contenders in Blaydes. Kuniev's best win is an overturned no-contest to Renan Ferreira, where the Sanda fighter showed some grappling chops from both positive and negative positions. That said, Kuniev will likely have a harder time getting that kind of game going against a fighter who can both match him in size and wrestling. Blaydes has seemingly abandoned his wrestling faster than Daniel Plainview abandoned his son in recent years, but that doesn't change the fact that he's one of a literal handful of heavyweights who can actually wrestle, which counts for a lot. I'm not picking this fight as confidently as I should be, but the pick is for Blaydes to stay safe and secure a win by unanimous decision. Curtis Blaydes vs. Rizvan Kuniev UFC Baku odds The oddsmakers and the public favor the American, listing Blaydes -260 and Kuniev +205 via FanDuel. Curtis Blaydes vs. Rizvan Kuniev UFC Baku start time, how to watch Blaydes and Kuniev are expected to walk to the cage at approximately 4:35 p.m. ET. The fight broadcasts on ABC, ESPN and ESPN+. This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: UFC Baku: Curtis Blaydes vs. Rizvan Kuniev prediction, pick, time
Yahoo
19-06-2025
- 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
19-06-2025
- 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
17-06-2025
- 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.
