Curtis Blaydes put his vintage skillset on full display at UFC 242 on Saturday.
The 28-year-old Blaydes (12-2 MMA, 7-2 UFC) planted, pounded and bloodied Shamil Abdurakhimov (20-5 MMA, 5-3 UFC), en route to a second-round TKO stoppage.
The heavyweight bout was part of the UFC 242 main card at The Arena at Yas Island in Abu Dhabi.
From the opening bell, Blaydes didn’t waste any time in shooting for a takedown. The initial takedown was one of four “Razor” secured in as many attempts in the opening round.
As the clock wound down in Round 1, Blaydes almost finished the fight with strikes from mount. Midway through the second frame, Blaydes would end up in the same position. The Elevation Fight Team member landed a barrage of strikes on his Russian opponent.
After referee Mark Goddard warned Aburakhimov to move or the fight would be stopped, Blaydes landed a brutal elbow to the nose of his downed opponent.
As he clutched his face, Abdurakhimov rolled over and ate one more Blaydes shot before Goddard stepped in.
The victory is Blaydes’ second in a row, since he lost to Francis Ngannou in November 2018. Over the span of 14 career pro bouts, Ngannou is the only man to defeat Blaydes – and he’s done it twice.
Up-to-the-minute UFC 242 results include:
- Curtis Blaydes def. Shamil Abdurakhimov via TKO (ground and pound) – Round 2, 2:22
- Diego Ferreira def. Mairbek Taisumov via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-27, 29-27)
- Joanne Calderwood def. Andrea Lee via split decision (28-29, 30-27, 29-28)
- Zubaira Tukhugov vs. Lerone Murphy declared split draw (29-28, 28-29, 28-28)
- Sarah Moras def. Liana Jojua via TKO (strikes) – Round 3, 2:26
- Ottman Azaitar def. Teemu Packalen via knockout (punch) – Round 1, 3:33
- Belal Muhammad def. Takashi Sato via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 3, 1:55
- Muslim Salikhov def. Nordine Taleb via knockout (punch) – Round 1, 4:26
- Omari Akhmedov def. Zak Cummings via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
- Don Madge def. Fares Ziam via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
