Curtis Lionell Blaydes[7] (born February 18, 1991)[8] is an American professional mixed martial artist.

He began wrestling for the De La Salle Institute, winning a state title his senior year while also compiling an undefeated 44–0 record.

Blaydes also played American football for De La Salle as a defensive end.

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.

[12] Blaydes made his promotional debut against Francis Ngannou on April 10, 2016, at UFC Fight Night 86.

[15] He won the fight via TKO in the second round,[16] winning his first UFC Performance of the Night bonus.

[18] After dominating the action throughout the first round, Blaydes won the fight via TKO after Milstead sustained a knee injury.

The referee stopped the fight after Blaydes delivered an illegal kick to a downed opponent and called a doctor to check on Oliynyk.

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.

[35] Blaydes faced Junior dos Santos on January 25, 2020, at UFC Fight Night 166.

[52] Blaydes was scheduled to face Jailton Almeida on November 4, 2023, at UFC Fight Night 231.

[59] Blaydes was scheduled to face Rizvan Kuniev on February 22, 2025 at UFC Fight Night 252.