Curtis Blaydes suffers orbital and nose fractures at UFC 327

Curtis Blaydes walked out of a Miami hospital following UFC 327 on April 11 with two confirmed facial injuries: a fractured orbital bone and a broken nose. The heavyweight contender was medically evaluated immediately after his bout and has since been cleared to return home to Colorado to begin his recovery.

Blaydes, known as "Razor," is one of the more accomplished fighters in the heavyweight division. The 35-year-old American carries a professional record of 19-6 and holds the number-four ranking at heavyweight. Standing six-foot-four with an 80-inch reach, he competes out of Elevation Fight Team and brings an unusually well-rounded skill set to the division. He averages 5.38 takedowns per 15 minutes, one of the higher rates among active heavyweights, and lands 3.56 significant strikes per minute at 50 percent accuracy — numbers that reflect a fighter comfortable controlling both range and the mat.

Why it matters

• Blaydes is ranked fourth at heavyweight, meaning any extended absence could affect his position in a division with significant title picture movement.
• Facial fractures of this nature typically require several months of medical clearance before contact training can resume, which may delay his next scheduled appearance.
• The orbital and nasal injuries suggest he absorbed meaningful damage during the fight, raising questions about his timeline for returning to competition.

The severity of the injuries — orbital fractures in particular carry real medical risk — made immediate hospital treatment necessary. No timeline for his return to training or competition has been indicated.