UFC 313: Curtis Blaydes vs. Rizvan Kuniev Bout Relocated from Seattle to Las Vegas

In a surprising turn of events, the highly anticipated heavyweight clash between Curtis Blaydes and UFC newcomer Rizvan Kuniev has been moved from its original slot at UFC Fight Night 252 in Seattle to the upcoming UFC 313 card in Las Vegas. This shift, set to take place on March 8, 2025, adds another layer of intrigue to an already stacked pay-per-view event.

The hits just keep on coming for #UFCSeattle

Macy Chiasson is injured and her fight against Ketlen Vieira has been removed from the card, per UFC officials

UFC also confirmed Curtis Blaydes vs. Rizvan Kuniev is moving to #UFC313

— Damon Martin (@DamonMartin) February 13, 2025

A Change of Scenery for Heavyweight Contenders

Curtis Blaydes, currently ranked No. 5 in the heavyweight rankings, finds himself in a pivotal moment of his career. Coming off a loss in an interim title fight against Tom Aspinall, ‘Razor’ Blaydes is eager to reassert his position in the division’s elite. At 33 years old, Blaydes has been a formidable force in the heavyweight ranks since his UFC debut in April 2016.

The delay in Blaydes’ return to the octagon, while unexpected, could prove beneficial as he looks to bounce back from his recent setback. His journey back to title contention begins against Rizvan Kuniev, an undefeated UFC prospect with an impressive 13-2-1 record in his professional MMA career.

Kuniev’s path to the UFC has been anything but smooth. Originally slated to make his debut at UFC 310 in December, Kuniev faced disappointment when his opponent, Martin Buday, withdrew from the bout. Now, after another delay, the 32-year-old Russian fighter hopes that the third time will indeed be the charm for his long-awaited UFC debut.

UFC 313: A Card Worthy of Las Vegas

The addition of Blaydes vs. Kuniev further bolsters an already impressive UFC 313 lineup. The event, set to take place at the iconic T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, is headlined by a light heavyweight title bout between Alex Pereira and Magomed Ankalaev. This championship clash promises to be a thrilling affair, pitting Pereira’s devastating striking against Ankalaev’s well-rounded skill set.

The main card also features a lightweight battle between fan favorites Justin Gaethje and Dan Hooker, a matchup that has ‘Fight of the Night’ written all over it. Additionally, the women’s strawweight division will see action as Iasmin Lucindo faces off against the always dangerous Amanda Lemos.

Other notable bouts on the card include:

• 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

The relocation of Blaydes vs. Kuniev to this card adds significant heavyweight firepower to an already diverse and exciting lineup. It also provides both fighters with a larger platform to showcase their skills, potentially fast-tracking the winner toward title contention in the always-volatile heavyweight division.

As fight fans eagerly await official confirmation from the UFC regarding this change, speculation abounds about the reasons behind the move. While the exact cause remains undisclosed, it’s clear that the addition of this heavyweight clash only serves to enhance the appeal of UFC 313.

With just over three weeks until fight night, all eyes will be on Las Vegas as the MMA world prepares for what promises to be an unforgettable evening of action. For Curtis Blaydes, it’s an opportunity to reaffirm his status as a top heavyweight contender. For Rizvan Kuniev, it’s a chance to announce his arrival on the biggest stage in mixed martial arts. Regardless of the outcome, UFC 313 is shaping up to be a can’t-miss event for fight fans around the globe.