Alexey Kunchenko

Alexey Andreevich Kunchenko (; born May 2, 1984) is a Russian mixed martial artist (MMA) who competes in the welterweight division. He is a former M-1 Global welterweight champion and competed in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) and Professional Fighters League (PFL).

Mixed martial arts career Early career Kunchenko started his professional MMA career since 2013 and fought primary in Russia under various promoters, notably M-1 Global. He was the M-1 Global welterweight champion and amassed a record of 18-0 prior to being signed to the UFC.

Ultimate Fighting Championship

Kunchenko made his UFC debut on August 4, 2018, against Thiago Alves at UFC Fight Night: Hunt vs. Oleinik. He won the fight by unanimous decision.

His next fight came on December 1, 2018, at UFC Fight Night: dos Santos vs. Tuivasa against Yushin Okami. He won the fight via unanimous decision.

Kunchenko was scheduled to face Laureano Staropoli on August 10, 2019, at UFC Fight Night 156. However, it was announced on July 29, 2019, that Staropoli was forced to pull out of the fight due to a broken nose and was replaced by Gilbert Burns. Kunchenko lost the fight via unanimous decision.

Kunchenko faced Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos on March 14, 2020, at UFC Fight Night 170. He lost the fight via a controversial unanimous decision.

Professional Fighters League On February 18, 2021, Kunchenko announced on his Instagram that he had signed a 5-fight contract with PFL for their 2021 season, and would be competing in the organization's welterweight division.

Kunchenko was set to face fellow UFC vet Gleison Tibau on April 29, 2021, at PFL 2 as the start of the 2021 PFL Welterweight tournament. On March 25, it was announced that Kunchenko pulled out of the bout.

Kunchenko faced Sadibou Sy at PFL 5 on June 17, 2021. He lost the bout via unanimous decision.

Post PFL Kunchenko faced Magomedsaygid Alibekov on December 3, 2022, at RCC 13, losing the bout via split decision.

Kunchenko faced Gleison Tibau on February 11, 2023, at RCC, winning the bout via unanimous decision.

Kunchenko faced Shamil Musaev on July 28, 2023, at RCC 16, getting finished in the first round after a spinning back kick to the body and ground and pound. After the bout, Kunchenko announced his retirement. Despite the announcement, Kunchenko made his return to MMA competition in 2024.

Championships and accomplishments Mixed martial arts M-1 Global M-1 Global Welterweight Champion (Four times)

Mixed martial arts record Loss

Tagir Magomedov Decision (split) ACA 203

Tashkent, Uzbekistan Win

Oleg Dadonov Decision (unanimous) ACA 195

Saint Petersburg, Russia Win

Shakhban Alkhasov TKO (punches) Eagle FC 56

Kaspiysk, Russia Win

Luan Duarte Decision (unanimous) Modern Fighting Pankration 251 x Open FC 48

Khabarovsk, Russia Win

Danila Prikaza Decision (split) Open FC 43

Tyumen, Russia Loss

Shamil Musaev TKO (spinning back kick and punches) RCC 16

Tyumen, Russia Win

Gleison Tibau Decision (unanimous) RCC 14

Tyumen, Russia Loss

Magomedsaygid Alibekov Decision (split) RCC 13

Yekaterinburg, Russia Loss

Sadibou Sy Decision (unanimous) PFL 5 (2021)

Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States Loss

Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Lee vs. Oliveira

Brasília, Brazil Loss

Gilbert Burns Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Shevchenko vs. Carmouche 2

Montevideo, Uruguay Win

Yushin Okami Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: dos Santos vs. Tuivasa

Adelaide, Australia Win

Thiago Alves Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Hunt vs. Oleinik

Moscow, Russia Win

Alexander Butenko TKO (punches and knees) M-1 Challenge 90

Saint Petersburg, Russia Win

Sergey Romanov KO (punches) M-1 Challenge 84

Saint Petersburg, Russia Win

Maxim Grabovich Decision (unanimous) M-1 Challenge 75

Moscow, Russia Win

Murad Abdulaev Decision (unanimous) M-1 Challenge 72

Moscow, Russia Win

Eduardo Ramon Decision (unanimous) M-1 Challenge 70

Syktyvkar, Russia Win

Murad Abdulaev TKO (punches) M-1 Challenge 65

Saint Petersburg, Russia Win

Carlos Alexandre Pereira TKO (punches) Orenburg MMA Federation: Scythian Gold 2015

Orenburg, Russia Win

Alexandre Ramos TKO (punches) M-1 Challenge 62

Sochi, Russia Win

Ron Keslar KO (punch) League S-70: Plotforma Cup 2015

Sochi, Russia Win

Dez Parker KO (punches) M-1 Challenge 57

Orenburg, Russia Win

Grigoriy Kichigin TKO (punches) M-1 Challenge 54 & ACB 12

Saint Petersburg, Russia Win

Ronny Alexander Landaeta Utrera Decision (unanimous) Orenburg MMA Federation: Scythian Gold 2014

Orenburg, Russia Win

Adil Boranbayev TKO (punches) League S-70: Plotforma Cup 2014

Sochi, Russia Win

Felipe Salvador Nsue Ayiugono TKO (punches) Fight Nights: Battle of Moscow 16

Moscow, Russia Win

Anatoly Safronov TKO (retirement) M-1 Challenge 47

Moscow, Russia Win

Gennadiy Kovalev TKO (punches) Modern Fighting Pankration: Cup of Sakhalin 2014

Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk, Russia Win

Jani Ridasmaa TKO (corner stoppage) Tyumen Fight Night: International Cup 1

Tyumen, Russia Win

Gasan Mamedov Submission (rear-naked choke) Nord Desant: North Landing Cup 2013

Khanty-Mansiysk, Russia

Professional kickboxing record