UFC Baku odds suggest Curtis Blaydes will get back on the winning track on June 21. However, our prediction is that his job is going to be much harder than what his odds of -260 may suggest. The thing is that his opponent, Rizvan Kuniev, is a tough brawler with incredible punching power.
Curtis Blaydes vs. Rizvan Kuniev Odds
| Moneyline | Odds |
|---|---|
| Curtis Blaydes | -260 |
| Rizvan Kuniev | +220 |
When, Where, and How to Watch?
- Place: Baku Crystal Hall in Baku, Azerbaijan
- Date: Saturday, June 21, 2025
- Time: 3:00 p.m. ET
- How to Watch: ABC/ESPN+
Reasons Why UFC Baku Odds Favor Curtis Blaydes
Less than a year ago, Curtis Blaydes fought Tom Aspinall in the UFC Heavyweight title eliminator. Unfortunately for him, he got slept after just 60 seconds. As a result, he’s now 18-5-1, with all five of his losses happening by KO/TKO. This is something that should worry him ahead of the UFC Baku fight as his next opponent is a knockout maestro.
On the bright side, Blaydes has already fought many powerful strikers. In the past, we saw him beat Junior dos Santos, Alexander Volkov, Jairzinho Rozenstruik, and many others.
He’s 13-for-18 when it comes to KO/TKO wins, but he’s not just about striking. Blaydes is also a phenomenal wrestler, one of the best in the division. This guy lands 5.69 takedowns per 15 minutes, which is the best in the division. His TD defense, however, is just 31%, which could be a problem against a guy like Kuniev.
Can Rizvan Kuniev Stage an Upset at UFC Baku?
Born and bred in Dagestan, Rizvan Kuniev is a hell of a wrestler. He lands 2.82 takedowns per 15 minutes on average, which is a pretty decent number for a heavyweight. On top of that, his TD defense still stands at 100%.
He’s big and strong, with incredibly fast hands. He lands 5.82 significant strikes and gets hit only 1.25 times per minute. However, all these numbers should be taken with a pinch of salt given that he’s never fought in the UFC – those stats are from his two fights in Dana White’s Contender Series.
Kuniev’s biggest challenge comes this weekend when he gets a chance to prove he’s made for the UFC. If he beats Blaydes on June 22, he’s going to make a name for himself in MMA circles. We think that’s good enough a reason for the Dagestani heavyweight to give his utmost.
Curtis Blaydes vs. Rizvan Kuniev Prediction
We think Blaydes is the better fighter, but he can only win if he takes this fight seriously. Kuniev is the kind of fighter who mustn’t be underestimated. Otherwise, he can put you to sleep. But we believe Blaydes is a real pro, who won’t rush anything. Instead, we expect to see him take a more tactical approach and grind a victory for himself.