Justine Kish

Svetlana Nasibulina (born 13 April 1988), known professionally by her ring name Justine Kish, is an American mixed martial artist that competes in the Flyweight division. A professional since 2010, she has also competed in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) and for Bellator MMA

Early life Justine Kish was born in Leningrad, Soviet Union in modern-day Russia and was adopted by an American couple. She discovered Muay Thai as a teenager, while taking up fitness, which eventually led her to competitions.

Muay Thai career Kish competed in Muay Thai for 10 years, winning 18 matches and a World Muaythai Council championship belt in the process.

Mixed martial arts career

Early career Kish began her professional MMA career in 2010. She amassed an undefeated record of five wins and no losses, including a win over future The Ultimate Fighter housemate Randa Markos.

The Ultimate Fighter In September 2013, it was announced that Kish was one of the fighters selected by the UFC to appear on The Ultimate Fighter: A Champion Will Be Crowned.

Kish was the seventh pick by coach Anthony Pettis. She was expected to face Bec Rawlings in the preliminary round, but was forced out of the tournament due to a knee injury. This injury also prevented her from appearing on the finale of the show, but Kish made her debut with the promotion in 2015.

Ultimate Fighting Championship

Kish made her official UFC debut against Nina Ansaroff on January 2, 2016, at UFC 195. She won the fight by unanimous decision.

Kish next faced Ashley Yoder on December 9, 2016, at UFC Fight Night: Lewis vs. Abdurakhimov in a catchweight bout as Kish missed weight. She won the fight by unanimous decision.

Kish faced Felice Herrig on June 25, 2017 at UFC Fight Night: Chiesa vs. Lee. She lost the bout via unanimous decision. Kish received media attention after losing control of her bowels during the fight and issuing a humorous response later.

Kish faced Ji Yeon Kim on January 27, 2018, at UFC on Fox: Jacaré vs. Brunson 2. She lost the fight via split decision. 11 out of 14 media scores gave it to Kish.

Kish returned after a two year hiatus and faced Lucie Pudilová on January 25, 2020, at UFC Fight Night 166. She won the fight via unanimous decision.

Kish faced Sabina Mazo on September 12, 2020, at UFC Fight Night 177. She lost the fight via a rear-naked choke submission in round three.

Kish faced Tracy Cortez on April 17, 2021, at UFC on ESPN 22. At the weigh-ins, Cortez weighed in at 126.5 pounds, a half pound over the flyweight non-title fight limit. Her bout proceeded at a catchweight and she was fined 20% of her individual purse, which went to Kish. Kish lost the close fight via a split decision.

On April 30, it was revealed that Kish was no longer with the UFC.

Bellator MMA On January 6, 2022, it was announced that Kish had signed a multi-bout contract with Bellator MMA.

Kish faced DeAnna Bennett on February 19, 2022 at Bellator 274. She lost the bout via unanimous decision.

Kish faced Ilima-Lei Macfarlane on April 23, 2022 at Bellator 279. In an upset, she won the bout via unanimous decision.

Kish rematched DeAnna Bennett on August 12, 2022 at Bellator 284. At weigh ins, Kish came in at 128.4 lbs, 2.4 pounds over the weight limit, for the flyweight bout, resulting in her being a fined a percentage of her purse which went to Bennett and the bout proceeded at catchweight. Kish lost the bout again via unanimous decision.

Kish faced Diana Avsaragova on August 11, 2023, at Bellator 298. At weigh-ins, Avsaragova weighed in at 127.2 pounds, 1.2 pounds over the Flyweight non-title limit. Due to this, the bout proceeded at catchweight and she was fined 20 percent of his purse, which went to Kish. She won the fight via unanimous decision.

Championships and accomplishments Kickboxing

World Muaythai Council WMC/EMF European Champion (one time)

Kickboxing record

Mixed martial arts record Loss

Sani Brännfors TKO (punches and elbows) Ice Cage Fighting 7

Tampere, Finland Win

Diana Avsaragova Decision (unanimous) Bellator 298

Sioux Falls, South Dakota, United States Loss

DeAnna Bennett Decision (unanimous) Bellator 284

Sioux Falls, South Dakota, United States Win

Ilima-Lei Macfarlane Decision (unanimous) Bellator 279

Honolulu, Hawaii, United States Loss

DeAnna Bennett Decision (unanimous) Bellator 274

Uncasville, Connecticut, United States Loss

Tracy Cortez Decision (split) UFC on ESPN: Whittaker vs. Gastelum

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Loss

Sabina Mazo Submission (rear-naked choke) UFC Fight Night: Waterson vs. Hill

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Lucie Pudilová Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Blaydes vs. dos Santos

Raleigh, North Carolina, United States Loss

Ji Yeon Kim Decision (split) UFC on Fox: Jacaré vs. Brunson 2

Charlotte, North Carolina, United States Loss

Felice Herrig Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Chiesa vs. Lee

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States Win

Ashley Yoder Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Lewis vs. Abdurakhimov

Albany, New York, United States Win

Nina Ansaroff Decision (unanimous) UFC 195

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Randa Markos Decision (unanimous) RFA 12

Los Angeles, California, United States Win

Jin Tang Decision (unanimous) Fusion Fighting Championship 5

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Christine Stanley Submission (armbar) RFA 9

Los Angeles, California, United States Win

Munah Holland Submission (triangle choke) Ring of Combat 33

Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States