Curtis Blades made a memorable UFC debut in 2016, facing heavyweight powerhouse Francis Nganno. Although he lost that fight by TKO due to a doctor’s break at the end of the second round, Blades didn’t let the setback define him. He bounced back on a 5-fight winning streak, showcasing his skills and flexibility. Currently ranked fourth in the heavyweight division, Blades has claimed victories over top fighters such as Junior Dos Santos, Alistair Overeem and Mark Hunt. Behind the scenes, however, Blades faced significant challenges, particularly with weight and training.
Heavyweights in the UFC are capped at 266 pounds for non-title fights and 265 pounds for championship fights. Known for his impressive boxing skills from high school and college, Curtis Blades initially struggled with weight control while transitioning to mixed martial arts In a 2018 interview with TSN, Blades revealed shocking details about his weight loss. “I didn’t really pay attention to my whole mixed martial arts career. I didn’t have a professional coach or a jiu-jitsu master or anything like that. My main focus going into a fight was to make weight – I was going around like 295, so really my main focus was just to make weight and then go out there and use my wrestling to win .”
The Struggle to Lose Weight
Moving around 295 pounds is no small feat. While other UFC fighters, like Derrick Lewis, have struggled with similar issues, the challenge of cutting around 30 pounds remains significant, and despite this obstacle not lasting, Blades was boxing skills were key to maintaining an undefeated record as an amateur and professional fighter . His initial success was due to his outstanding boxing skills, which he excelled at De La Salle Institute and Harper College, where he was a national champion and NJCAA national champion
Transition and Training Enhancements
Ngannou’s defeat served as a wake-up call for the Blades. He realized that to truly compete at the highest level, he needed to diversify his skills and adjust his approach. The move to Denver to train with Elevation Fight proved to be a turning point in his career. By combining already strong boxing skills with advanced MMA techniques such as striking, Blades has greatly enhanced his fighting ability and this evolution has led him to his current position, where he is now poised to he will challenge for the interim UFC heavyweight title at UFC 304 .
Stats and Showdown
As Blades prepares for his next big fight, his physical attributes are impressive. Standing 6 feet 4 inches tall and weighing in at 257-260 pounds for his fights, Blades is a formidable presence in the Octagon. He first faced Tom Aspinall in 2022, and Aspinall dismissed him early due to a knee injury. Sword weighed 260 pounds in that fight, while Espinal weighed just under 251 pounds. While Espinal has a height advantage of 6 feet 5 inches, Blades has a reach advantage, compared to Aspinall’s 78 inches, with 80 inches in diameter.
The Way Forward
As Curtis Blades prepares to challenge Tom Aspinall for the interim UFC heavyweight title at UFC 304, all eyes are on the day. His journey from boxing-focused fighter struggling with weight management to well-rounded MMA competitor is a testament to his resilience and determination fans are eagerly waiting to see how Blades’ boxing skills and honed wrestling skills will play out inside the Octagon. The duel in Manchester promises to be an exciting battle, showcasing the superiority of both fighters as they challenge for the prestigious title.
