Curtis Blaydes is going from fighting for an interim heavyweight title to facing a UFC newcomer. After suffering a quick TKO loss in his rematch with Tom Aspinall in July, Blaydes will attempt to get back track in a high-risk matchup with Dana White’s Contender Series signee Rizvan Kuniev at UFC Fight Night 252 on Feb. 22 in Seattle, Wash. The event streams on ESPN+ . MMA Junkie verified the three-round heavyweight booking between Blaydes (18-5 MMA, 13-5 UFC) and Kuniev (13-2-1 MMA, 0-0 UFC) with two people who have knowledge of the situation. The people requested anonymity because the promotion has yet to make an official announcement.