Rizvan Kuniev vs. Tyrell Fortune
UFC Fight Night · July 25, 2026 · Etihad Arena
Rizvan Kuniev def. Tyrell Fortune — TKO (knees), R3 1:12
The only Fight of the Night in Abu Dhabi, and it earned it — this was competitive, physical heavyweight action while it lasted. Kuniev did his best work in the clinch, hammering Fortune's body with kicks, knees, and short shots; between rounds Fortune told his corner his ribs were making it hard to breathe. Fortune came out swinging in the third anyway, but Kuniev stayed patient and a jumping knee crumpled him at 1:12 for the stoppage. The pre-fight read said Kuniev's accumulation would become dangerous at heavyweight — it just came through the body instead of the jab.
The breakdown below was written before the fight.
Fortune's best window is early — a takedown or a big right hand inside the first five minutes. Kuniev has stuffed nearly everything thrown at him so far, though, and his jab-first volume tends to compound as fights wear on. Expect Fortune to have moments in round one before Kuniev's cleaner boxing starts adding up. At heavyweight that kind of accumulation is dangerous, and Kuniev by decision or late stoppage feels like the most likely shape of it.
The Matchup
This is a classic technician-versus-athlete heavyweight fight. Kuniev is the sharper, busier boxer, and his 93 percent takedown defense has already held up against Curtis Blaydes and Jailton Almeida — two of the best grapplers in the division. Fortune has the superior wrestling pedigree and heavier one-shot power, but at 36 he has historically been at his most dangerous early and more hittable late. If Fortune can't get this fight to the mat, he'll be stuck in a long kickboxing match against a man who simply throws more. The longer it goes, the more Kuniev's jab and conditioning should matter.
Tale of the Tape
| Rizvan Kuniev | Tyrell Fortune | |
|---|---|---|
| 13-3-1 | Record | 18-3 |
| 34 | Age | 36 |
| 6'4" | Height | 6'3" |
| 76" | Reach | 75" |
| Orthodox | Stance | Orthodox |
| Russia | Country | United States |
| Gorets Fight Team | Team | Arizona Combat Sports |
The Numbers
Career UFC averages. Red bar = statistical edge.
Rizvan Kuniev
Kuniev is a Dagestan-born heavyweight who captured the Eagle FC heavyweight title before earning his UFC contract on Dana White's Contender Series. Unusual for the division, he fights like a big middleweight — crisp, jab-heavy boxing, steady volume, and takedown defense that has stuffed 93 percent of attempts against him. His official UFC debut was a split-decision loss to Curtis Blaydes that most media scorecards actually had him winning. He rebounded in February 2026 by out-pointing grappling ace Jailton Almeida, turning away all eight of Almeida's takedown attempts along the way.
- WJailton Almeida · Decision (unanimous)UFC Fight Night: Bautista vs. Oliveira · February 7, 2026
- LCurtis Blaydes · Decision (split)UFC on ABC: Hill vs. Rountree Jr. · June 21, 2025
- WHugo Cunha · TKO (knee to the body and punches)Dana White's Contender Series 68 · August 20, 2024
Tyrell Fortune
Fortune is an NCAA Division II national champion wrestler from Portland, Oregon who went 37-1 at Grand Canyon University before turning to fighting. He spent most of his career in Bellator, going 13-2 with the promotion and knocking out a string of heavyweight contenders along the way. After a short PFL stint and two quick regional wins, he finally reached the UFC in his mid-thirties and won his debut by out-wrestling longtime contender Marcin Tybura in March 2026. He comes in on a four-fight win streak with 11 career knockouts on his ledger.
- WMarcin Tybura · Decision (unanimous)UFC Fight Night: Adesanya vs. Pyfer · March 28, 2026
- WDemoreo Dennis · TKO (doctor stoppage)Lights Out Xtreme Fighting 27 · September 20, 2025
- WTony Lopez · KO (punch)RUF MMA 64 · August 16, 2025