Curtis Blaydes to face UFC rookie Rizvan Kuniev in Seattle

(Photo credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images)
Curtis Blaydes, aiming to bounce back from a loss in a bout the UFC's interim heavyweight championship, will return to action against a UFC rookie.

Rizvan Kuniev, who competed in Dana White's Contender Series, will oppose Blaydes on Feb. 22 in Seattle, MMAFighting.com and MMAJunkie reported on Friday.

Blaydes, a 33-year-old Illinois native, owns an 18-5 MMA record with one no-con