Rizvan Kuniev
Russian mixed martial artist
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Rizvan Kuniev (born March 10, 1992) is a Russian professional mixed martial artist competing in the Heavyweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). As of April 14, 2026, he is #8 in the UFC heavyweight rankings.[1]
March 10, 1992
Dagestan, Russia
| Rizvan Kuniev | |
|---|---|
| Born | Rizvan Kuniev March 10, 1992 Dagestan, Russia |
| Height | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) |
| Weight | 265 lb (120 kg; 18 st 13 lb) |
| Division | Heavyweight |
| Reach | 76 in (190 cm) |
| Stance | Orthodox |
| Fighting out of | Makhachkala, Russia |
| Team | Gorets FT |
| Years active | 2011–present |
| Mixed martial arts record | |
| Total | 17 |
| Wins | 12 |
| By knockout | 6 |
| By submission | 2 |
| By decision | 4 |
| Losses | 3 |
| By decision | 3 |
| Draws | 1 |
| No contests | 1 |
| Other information | |
| Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog | |
Mixed martial arts career
Early career
Kuniev would start his career on a 9–2–1 run with his only losses coming to Darko Stošić and Justin Willis.
Kuniev would then compete for the Eagle FC Heavyweight title against Vladimir Dainenko at Eagle FC 31 winning the fight by corner stoppage.[2]
Kuniev then made his Contender Series debut against Edivan Santos on September 28, 2021. He won via third round stoppage, but didn't get a contract with the UFC[3]
After competing on Contender Series, Kuniev would defend his Eagle FC Heavyweight title against UFC veteran Anthony Hamilton at Eagle FC 46 on March 11, 2022. He would win the fight via guillotine choke in the first round.[4]
Kuniev would then sign for the Professional Fighters League for their 2023 season. Kuniev started by going up against Renan Ferreira on April 7, 2023, at PFL 2.[5] Kuniev initially won the fight by unanimous decision, but the result was changed to a no contest when he failed a drug test.[6][7]
Dana White's Contender Series
Kuniev was then booked to compete on Week 2 of Season 8 of Dana White's Contender Series on August 20, 2024, against Hugo Cunha.[8] He won the fight via first round knockout and was awarded a contract by Dana White.[9]
Ultimate Fighting Championship
Kuniev was scheduled to make his UFC debut against Curtis Blaydes on February 22, 2025 at UFC Fight Night 252.[10] However, the bout was moved to March 8, 2025 at UFC 313 for unknown reasons.[11] A few hours before the event took place, Blaydes withdrew due to an undisclosed illness and the bout was scrapped.[12] The bout was rescheduled for May 17, 2025 at UFC Fight Night 256.[13] In turn, the bout was moved once again and eventually took place on June 21, 2025 at UFC on ABC 8.[14] Kuniev lost the fight by split decision.[15] 11 out of 13 media sources scored the fight in favor of Kuniev.[16]
Kuniev was scheduled to face Ryan Spann on February 7, 2026 at UFC Fight Night 266.[17] However, Spann withdrew for undisclosed reasons and was replaced by Jailton Almeida.[18] Kuniev won the fight by unanimous decision.[19]
Kuniev is scheduled to face Tyrell Fortune on June 27, 2026, at UFC Fight Night 280.[20]
Mixed martial arts record
| 18 matches | 13 wins | 3 losses |
| By knockout | 6 | 0 |
| By submission | 2 | 0 |
| By decision | 5 | 3 |
| Draws | 1 | |
| No contests | 1 | |
| Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Win | 13–3–1 (1) | Jailton Almeida | Decision (unanimous) | UFC Fight Night: Bautista vs. Oliveira | February 7, 2026 | 3 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Loss | 12–3–1 (1) | Curtis Blaydes | Decision (split) | UFC on ABC: Hill vs. Rountree Jr. | June 21, 2025 | 3 | 5:00 | Baku, Azerbaijan | |
| Win | 12–2–1 (1) | Hugo Cunha | TKO (knee to the body and punches) | Dana White's Contender Series 68 | August 20, 2024 | 1 | 4:59 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| NC | 11–2–1 (1) | Renan Ferreira | NC (overturned) | PFL 2 (2023) | April 7, 2023 | 3 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | Originally a unanimous decision win for Kuniev; overturned after he tested positive for banned substances. |
| Win | 11–2–1 | Anthony Hamilton | Submission (guillotine choke) | Eagle FC 46 | March 11, 2022 | 1 | 1:17 | Miami, Florida, United States | Defended the Eagle FC Heavyweight Championship. |
| Win | 10–2–1 | Edivan Mineiro Santos | TKO (punches) | Dana White's Contender Series 41 | September 28, 2021 | 3 | 1:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Win | 9–2–1 | Vladimir Daineko | TKO (corner stoppage) | Eagle FC 31 | December 19, 2020 | 3 | 5:00 | Nizhny Novgorod, Russia | Defended the Eagle FC Heavyweight Championship. |
| Win | 8–2–1 | Ruud Vernooij | Decision (unanimous) | Eagles FC: Next Level | February 15, 2020 | 3 | 5:00 | Ciorescu, Moldova | |
| Win | 7–2–1 | Shamil Abasov | TKO (punches) | Gorilla Fighting 16 | August 30, 2019 | 3 | 4:53 | Astrakhan, Russia | Won the GF Heavyweight Championship. |
| Win | 6–2–1 | Navid Yadegari | Submission (rear-naked choke) | Gorets FC: For the Prizes of V. Zolotov | July 6, 2019 | 1 | 2:00 | Kaspiysk, Russia | |
| Win | 5–2–1 | José Agustin Jimenez | TKO (punches) | UMC 1 | June 2, 2018 | 1 | 2:35 | Monza, Italy | |
| Win | 4–2–1 | Konstantin Andreitsev | Decision (unanimous) | ProFC 64 | December 24, 2017 | 3 | 5:00 | Rostov-on-Don, Russia | 2017 ProFC Heavyweight Grand Prix Semifinal. |
| Win | 3–2–1 | Charles Andrade | Decision (unanimous) | ProFC 63 | September 10, 2017 | 3 | 5:00 | Rostov-on-Don, Russia | 2017 ProFC Heavyweight Grand Prix Quarterfinal. |
| Loss | 2–2–1 | Justin Willis | Decision (majority) | Inoki Genome Fight 4 | August 29, 2015 | 2 | 5:00 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Loss | 2–1–1 | Darko Stošić | Decision (unanimous) | Tesla FC 4 | June 14, 2014 | 3 | 5:00 | Pančevo, Serbia | |
| Win | 2–0–1 | Mikhail Istomin | TKO (punches) | Voronezh MMA Federation: Mixfight Cup 2012 | January 20, 2012 | 2 | N/A | Voronezh, Russia | |
| Draw | 1–0–1 | Ivan Gayvanovich | Draw (unanimous) | World MMA Federation: WMAC 2011 Finals | October 9, 2011 | 2 | 5:00 | Yalta, Ukraine | |
| Win | 1–0 | Anatoli Ciumac | Decision (unanimous) | World MMA Federation: WMAC 2011 Semifinals | October 8, 2011 | 2 | 5:00 | Yalta, Ukraine | Heavyweight debut. |
