Veteran UFC fighter Chris Curtis is making a strategic and emotional return to the welterweight division. Set to face Max Griffin at UFC Nashville on July 12, this showdown is more than a typical matchup—it’s a career-defining opportunity for Curtis.
With a 31-12-1 record and fresh motivation after a string of setbacks, Curtis is determined to reignite his career and reclaim his position among the UFC’s elite. The fight will take place at the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, with betting interest ramping up, especially in Ohio where Curtis has strong ties.
The Weight Class Shift Back to Welterweight
Chris Curtis is making his return to the 170-pound welterweight division after a four-year stretch fighting at middleweight. This transition isn’t just tactical; it’s symbolic. Having competed across multiple divisions in his storied career, Curtis is no stranger to making weight changes for the right reasons.
In the UFC, where every pound can affect a fighter’s speed, stamina, and performance, the move back to welterweight demonstrates Curtis’s readiness to adjust and elevate his chances of success. His decision was confirmed in an official UFC press release on Tuesday, signaling a new chapter with real implications.
A Record That Speaks Volumes
Holding a professional MMA record of 31 wins, 12 losses, and one no contest, Chris Curtis has battled across promotions and weight classes with grit and consistency. Since his UFC debut in 2021, Curtis has showcased knockout power, toughness, and a relentless approach that earned him several performance bonuses.
Yet the numbers don’t lie—after losing his last two fights, the urgency to bounce back is higher than ever. His most recent loss came in January against Roman Kopylov, who delivered a crushing head kick KO in the final second. Despite the brutal finish, Curtis walked away with Fight of the Night honors.
The Crushing Loss to Roman Kopylov
The January loss to Roman Kopylov was a turning point. With just one second left in the final round, Kopylov landed a head kick that knocked Curtis out cold. The outcome was devastating, yet it was also a reminder of how quickly a fight can shift in the UFC.
Even in defeat, Curtis earned Fight of the Night honors, a testament to the war he was part of and the heart he displayed. The fight served as a motivator, not just a setback—fueling Curtis’s decision to refocus, reset, and reenter the welterweight division with new energy and clarity.
The Veteran’s Experience Across Divisions
Curtis isn’t just another UFC fighter with a fluctuating record—he’s a veteran with one of the most varied resumes in modern MMA. Before joining the UFC in 2021, he competed in light heavyweight bouts in regional promotions and fought as a welterweight during his stint in the Professional Fighters League (PFL) in 2019.
That diversity has hardened him. It’s one thing to fight in different divisions; it’s another to remain competitive in each. At 37 years old, Curtis is again testing the waters of change, proving that evolution in MMA doesn’t come from comfort but from risk.
Max Griffin: The Man Standing in His Way
Max Griffin, who goes by “Pain,” isn’t stepping into the cage just to play a supporting role in Curtis’s redemption story. With a record of 20 wins and 11 losses, Griffin is a dangerous veteran himself, looking to spoil Curtis’s welterweight comeback. He’s gone 2-2 in his last four fights, most recently losing to Michael Chiesa in December 2024.
That loss, like Curtis’s, left Griffin searching for direction. UFC Nashville will be Griffin’s first fight of 2025, and he’s got something to prove just as much as Curtis does. Both men enter the cage with urgency written all over them.
UFC Nashville: The Perfect Stage
Scheduled for July 12, UFC Nashville takes place at the electric Bridgestone Arena in Tennessee. Known for hosting action-packed cards, this venue is the perfect battleground for a comeback story.
The main event pits Derrick Lewis against Tallison Teixeira in a heavyweight clash, but Curtis vs. Griffin will command serious attention from fans and analysts alike. Nashville’s atmosphere, with its combination of rowdy fans and prime-time spotlight, could give Curtis the kind of emotional lift he needs to reset his UFC journey and energize his fight IQ.
Ohio Ties and Local Excitement
Chris Curtis’s Ohio roots are a critical part of his identity. The fighting pride of the Buckeye State, Curtis carries the support and expectations of a fan base that has watched his journey unfold over the years.
As he prepares for UFC Nashville, the support from Ohio is palpable, with fans and local media building buzz around his return to welterweight. Ohio has produced tough, resilient fighters, and Curtis fits the mold perfectly. His toughness, mental grit, and fighting spirit mirror the working-class ethos of the region, making him not just a fighter—but a symbol of Ohio resolve.
The Stakes for Curtis at Age 37
At 37 years old, every fight Chris Curtis enters could represent a career-altering moment. The stakes against Max Griffin are more than rankings or bonuses—they’re about proving that time hasn’t passed him by.
Fighters often face a moment when they either evolve or fade out, and Curtis is betting on the former. His willingness to change divisions, face a fellow veteran, and do so after two consecutive losses speaks volumes about his resilience. It’s no longer just about adding wins—it’s about legacy, pride, and proving he’s still capable of elite-level performances.
Griffin’s Motivation and Pressure
Max Griffin is coming off a challenging fight in December 2024 where he dropped a decision to Michael Chiesa. That loss halted any upward momentum and placed pressure on Griffin to deliver in 2025.
Like Curtis, Griffin is looking to get back on track, and the stakes couldn’t be higher. A third loss in five fights could push Griffin further down the rankings and make his UFC future uncertain. Expect Griffin to come out aggressive, pressing early and trying to dictate the tempo. He’s fighting not just to win—but to remain relevant in a stacked welterweight division.
Fight Style Matchup
Stylistically, this matchup has fireworks written all over it. Chris Curtis is a polished boxer with excellent head movement, tight combinations, and deceptive power. His striking accuracy is well-known, and he uses footwork to counter and wear down his opponents.
Max Griffin, on the other hand, brings more unpredictability. He mixes kicks, takedowns, and pressure fighting into a dynamic arsenal. The contrast could produce a battle where every round swings on who controls the pace. With both fighters willing to stand and trade, the odds of a finish—either by KO or TKO—are high and growing more enticing by the day.
The Bigger Picture for Both Fighters
This isn’t just a fight to climb the rankings—it’s a battle to define what’s next. Chris Curtis is seeking redemption, pride, and momentum in a division he once left behind. Max Griffin is striving to prove he still belongs in the UFC’s upper echelon after recent setbacks.
The clash at UFC Nashville is a mirror for both: reflecting their past triumphs, current challenges, and potential futures. Whether it ends in a brawl, a strategic chess match, or a highlight-reel finish, this bout could be career-defining for either man—if not both.
