As of March 2025, there are over 900 fighters signed to the UFC roster: even for the most astute among us, it’s a tough task keeping up to date with each of those athletes.
UFC 313: Pereira vs Ankalaev is a solid PPV event, with countless top-level contenders and household names set to compete on March 8 in Las Vegas.
That being said, one of the more surprising fights on the card is Curtis ‘Razor’ Blaydes versus UFC newcomer Rizvan Kuniev – with the popular American wrestler now admitting that he had no clue who he was signing on to fight.
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Curtis Blaydes admits he ‘had to Google’ his UFC 313 opponent
Speaking with MMAFighting, Curtis Blaydes was asked about his upcoming matchup against Rizvan Kuniev; a fighter who not many in the UFC-sphere knew about prior to their fight being announced, including the American.
“I had to Google him – I watched his fight on The Contender [Series], that’s really the only fight of his I watched,” stated Blaydes, adding that Kuniev “looks like your traditional heavyweight [who] swings heavy and hopes to knock you out early.
“I did [definitely do a double take] but like I always say, the money’s the same regardless of if it’s Jon Jones or if it’s a debut guy – the money’s the same so I’ll always be down [to fight].”
Whilst the heavy-handed Kuniev might not be a household name, Blaydes is well-aware that he can’t overlook anyone who’s good enough to be signed to the UFC roster.
“He’s here for a reason, [so] he must have some type of skill. I’m not going to not approach him with the respect he deserves. He’s here, he’s in the UFC, [and] they’re not bringing in unskilled heavyweights.
“I’m approaching it as if he has the ability to beat me, which he does. This is heavyweight, it only takes one sloppy haymaker and lights out.”
Curtis Blaydes reacts to Rizvan Kuniev’s PED cocktail suspension
Aside from his two big KO wins on Dana White’s Contender Series, Rizvan Kuniev is arguably most well-known for his infamous PED suspension that kept him sidelined for over a year.
In May 2023, Kuniev’s UD win over Renan Ferreira was overturned to a No Contest after he popped hot for drostanolone, metenelone, boldenone, and 19-norandrosterone; all of which are anabolic steroids.
In his Googling, Blaydes “heard about that also,” with the American wrestler teasing that PEDs won’t make a difference when he steps into the octagon on Saturday evening.
“Who knows that might be part of this. Maybe he has to get it out of his system, but I heard about rumors like that about [Jailton] Almeida and I mean he is very strong, and he did have skills, but steroids are not going to be the difference.
“It’s not going to be enough… Even if he is on some stuff, I don’t believe it’s going to help him with his sprawling or help him take a punch. I’m all right with it, even if he is on some stuff.”
Curtis Blaydes vs Rizvan Kuniev is currently billed as the final preliminary card fight of UFC 313 – catch the action live from the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Saturday, March 8.