Curtis Lionell Blaydes (born February 18, 1991) is an American professional mixed martial artist. He currently competes in the Heavyweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). A professional since 2014, Blaydes formerly competed for the Resurrection Fighting Alliance (RFA). As of September 5, 2026, he is #11 in the Meta UFC heavyweight rankings.
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Background
Blaydes was born in Naperville, Illinois, and raised in nearby Chicago along with his four other siblings. He began wrestling for the De La Salle Institute, winning a state title his senior year while also compiling an undefeated 44–0 record. During his four years, Blaydes compiled an overall record of 95–18 with 121 takedowns. Blaydes also played American football for De La Salle as a defensive end. He later earned a full wrestling scholarship to Northern Illinois University. After going 9–2 as a redshirt freshman at NIU, he transferred to Harper College. At Harper, Blaydes won the NJCAA National Championship as a redshirt sophomore. After he began fighting in amateur mixed martial arts, Blaydes left school to focus on a career in MMA.
Blaydes was an IKF amateur champion.
Mixed martial arts career
Early career
Blaydes compiled an 8–0 amateur record before turning professional in 2014. He then went 5–0, with all wins via TKO, before being signed by the UFC.
Ultimate Fighting Championship
Blaydes made his promotional debut against Francis Ngannou on April 10, 2016, at UFC Fight Night 86. He lost the fight via TKO at the conclusion of the second round due to doctor stoppage.
Blaydes next faced Cody East on October 1, 2016, at UFC Fight Night 96. He won the fight via TKO in the second round, winning his first UFC Performance of the Night bonus.
Blaydes faced Adam Milstead on February 4, 2017, at UFC Fight Night 104. After dominating the action throughout the first round, Blaydes won the fight via TKO after Milstead sustained a knee injury. Subsequently, the result was changed to a No Contest after Blaydes tested positive for marijuana.
Blaydes faced Daniel Omielańczuk on July 8, 2017, at UFC 213. He won the fight by unanimous decision.
Blaydes faced Alexey Oleynik on November 4, 2017, at UFC 217. He won the fight via TKO due to a doctor stoppage. The referee stopped the fight after Blaydes delivered an illegal kick to a downed opponent and called a doctor to check on Oliynyk. The fight was stopped due to the doctor's advice. The replay, however, showed the strike did not deliver significant damage (as it only grazed the ear), and the fight was ruled a win for Blaydes.
Blaydes faced Mark Hunt on February 11, 2018, at UFC 221. He won the fight via unanimous decision.
Blaydes faced Alistair Overeem on June 9, 2018, at UFC 225. He won the fight via TKO due to elbows in the third round. This win earned him the Performance of the Night bonus.
Blaydes faced Francis Ngannou in a rematch on November 24, 2018, in the main event at UFC Fight Night 141 He lost the fight via TKO early into the first round.
Blaydes faced Justin Willis on March 23, 2019, at UFC Fight Night 148. Blaydes continually took Willis down, scoring multiple takedowns and knocking down Willis in the second round winning the fight via unanimous decision.
Personal life
Blaydes has a daughter.
Championships and accomplishments
Mixed martial arts
Ultimate Fighting Championship
Fight of the Night (One time) vs. Josh Hokit
Performance of the Night (Four times) vs. Cody East, Alistair Overeem, Chris Daukaus and Jailton Almeida
Most takedowns landed in UFC Heavyweight division history (70)
Most control time in UFC Heavyweight division history (1:31:19)
Most top position time in UFC Heavyweight division history (1:08:36)
Tied (Junior dos Santos) for fourth most wins in UFC Heavyweight division history (14)
UFC Heavyweight Bout Records
Most takedowns landed (14) (vs. Alexander Volkov)
Second most takedowns attempted (25) (vs. Alexander Volkov)
Tied (Jake O'Brien) for third most takedowns landed (10) (vs. Mark Hunt)
Highest takedown accuracy percentage (80%) (vs. Adam Milstead. Min. 10 takedown attempts)
Fourth highest takedown accuracy percentage (71.4%) (vs. Mark Hunt. Min. 10 takedown attempts)
Second most significant strikes landed in a three-round bout (174) (vs. Josh Hokit)
Third most significant strikes landed in any UFC Heavyweight bout (174) (vs. Josh Hokit)
Folkstyle wrestling
National Junior College Athletic Association
NJCAA Heavyweight National Championship out of Harper College (2012)
NJCAA All-American out of Harper College (2012)