MMA Match Preview: Max Griffin (20-11) vs. Chris Curtis (31-12)

Veteran welterweights collide in a high-stakes bout as Max “Pain” Griffin (20–11) takes on Chris “Action Man” Curtis (31–12, 1 NC) in the featured prelim of UFC Fight Night: Lewis vs Teixeira, live from Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee. Both fighters are looking to bounce back from recent losses and reassert themselves in the crowded 170-pound division.

Fight Details

Event	Info
Date	Saturday, July 12, 2025
Location	Bridgestone Arena, Nashville
Time	Prelims ~7:00 PM ET
Broadcast	ESPN+ / UFC Fight Pass
Weight Class	Welterweight (170 lbs)
Rounds	3

Fighter Breakdown

🇺🇸 Max Griffin

Age: 39

Height/Reach: 5’11” / 76″

Stance: Orthodox

Team: MMA Gold Fight Team

Record: 20–11 (9 KO, 2 SUB)

Recent Form: Submission loss to Michael Chiesa; split decision win over Jeremiah Wells

Strengths: Counter-striking, durability, cage control

UFC Stats: 3.75 significant strikes/min, 1.37 takedowns/15 min, 58% striking defense

🇺🇸 Chris Curtis

Age: 37

Height/Reach: 5’10” / 75.5″

Stance: Orthodox

Team: Xtreme Couture

Record: 31–12 (17 KO, 1 SUB)

Recent Form: KO loss to Roman Kopylov; split decision loss to Brendan Allen

Strengths: Boxing, clinch striking, takedown defense

UFC Stats: 6.16 significant strikes/min, 82% takedown defense, 51% striking accuracy

Tale of the Tape

Attribute	Griffin	Curtis
Strikes Landed/Min	3.75	6.16
Striking Accuracy	48%	51%
Strikes Absorbed/Min	3.66	6.43
Takedown Accuracy	40%	10%
Takedown Defense	69%	82%
UFC Finish Rate	55%	65%

Key Storylines

Veteran Showdown: Both fighters are in their late 30s and fighting to stay relevant in the division.

Striking Volume vs Countering: Curtis throws more, but Griffin excels at timing counters—especially when opponents overextend.

Durability Test: Griffin hasn’t been knocked out since 2016; Curtis has suffered two KO losses in his last three fights.

Grappling Factor: Griffin has a more active takedown game, while Curtis relies on elite takedown defense and clinch striking.