Misha Cirkunov

Misha Cirkunov (, born February 27, 1987), is a Latvian-Canadian professional mixed martial artist, who most recently competed in the Light heavyweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).

Background Son of Oleg and Olga, Cirkunov was born in Riga, Latvia (Latvian SSR) in 1987. In his childhood, Cirkunov was active in various sports like swimming, basketball, judo and karate. Growing up, Cirkunov dabbled into dubious circles which prompted the family to emigrate to Toronto, Ontario, when he was 13. After the unsuccessful venture as a gym owner, he started training at an Xtreme Couture satellite gym in Etobicoke. O'Connell withdrew from the bout due to injury and was replaced by Daniel Jolly. Cirkunov defeated Jolly via first-round KO after achieving full mount and battering him when he turned his back.

Cirkunov faced promotional newcomer Alex Nicholson on February 6, 2016, at UFC Fight Night 82. Cirkunov submitted Alex Nicholson via a second-round neck crank, breaking both sides of his jaw in the process, after earlier breaking his nose. At the post-fight press conference, he told reporters, "I’m just really happy with the performance and especially – not just the submission – but I was able to break his jaw. I’m impressed."

Cirkunov next faced another promotional newcomer in Ion Cuțelaba on June 18, 2016, at UFC Fight Night 89. He won the fight via submission in the third round.

Cirkunov faced Nikita Krylov on December 10, 2016, at UFC 206. He won the fight via submission in the first round.

In March 2017, Cirkunov signed a new, six-fight deal with UFC and fought Volkan Oezdemir on May 28, 2017, at UFC Fight Night 109. He lost the fight via knockout in just 28 seconds of the very first round.

Cirkunov was scheduled to face Glover Teixeira on October 28, 2017, at UFC Fight Night 119. However, the pairing was delayed after a recent hand surgery for Teixeira was slow to heal and the bout eventually took place on December 16, 2017, at UFC on Fox 26. Cirkunov lost the fight via TKO in the first round.

Cirkunov faced Patrick Cummins on October 27, 2018, at UFC Fight Night 138. He won the fight by submission in the first round via an arm triangle choke.

Cirkunov was expected to face Ovince Saint Preux on March 2, 2019, at UFC 235. However, on February 11, it was announced that Saint Preux suffered an injury and was pulled from the fight. Cirkunov instead faced Johnny Walker. He lost the fight via TKO in the first round.

Cirkunov faced Jimmy Crute on September 14, 2019, at UFC Fight Night 158. He won the back-and-forth fight via a Peruvian necktie submission in the first round. The win also earned Cirkunov his first Performance of the Night bonus award.

Cirkunov was expected to face Ryan Spann on December 19, 2020, at UFC Fight Night 183. However, Cirkunov pulled out in early December due to an injury. The fight was rescheduled to March 13, 2021, at UFC Fight Night 187. Cirkunov lost the fight via technical knockout in round one.

Cirkunov faced Krzysztof Jotko in a middleweight bout on October 2, 2021, at UFC Fight Night 193. He lost the fight via split decision.

Cirkunov was scheduled to face Makhmud Muradov on February 26, 2022, at UFC Fight Night 202. However, Muradov pulled out in late January due to a hand injury and he was replaced by Wellington Turman. Cirkunov lost the fight via armbar in the second round.

After two straight losses at Middleweight, Misha was scheduled to return to Light heavyweight against Shamil Gamzatov on August 6, 2022, at UFC on ESPN: Santos vs. Hill. However, Gamzatov was unable to obtain a US visa and the bout was scrapped.

Cirkunov faced Alonzo Menifield on October 15, 2022, at UFC Fight Night 212. He lost the fight via knockout in round one.

In late October 2022, it was reported that Cirkunov was released by the UFC.

In May 2025, Cirkunov filed a class action anti-trust lawsuit, specifically challenges the enforceability of arbitration clauses and class action waivers in UFC contracts.

Championships and accomplishments Mixed martial arts Ultimate Fighting Championship Performance of the Night (One time) vs. Jimmy Crute

Mixed martial arts record Loss

Alonzo Menifield KO (punches) UFC Fight Night: Grasso vs. Araújo

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Loss

Wellington Turman Submission (armbar) UFC Fight Night: Makhachev vs. Green

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Loss

Krzysztof Jotko Decision (split) UFC Fight Night: Santos vs. Walker

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Loss

Ryan Spann TKO (punches) UFC Fight Night: Edwards vs. Muhammad

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Jimmy Crute Submission (peruvian necktie) UFC Fight Night: Cowboy vs. Gaethje

Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada Loss

Johnny Walker TKO (flying knee and punches) UFC 235

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Patrick Cummins Submission (arm-triangle choke) UFC Fight Night: Volkan vs. Smith

Moncton, New Brunswick, Canada Loss

Glover Teixeira TKO (punches) UFC on Fox: Lawler vs. dos Anjos

Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada Loss

Volkan Oezdemir KO (punch) UFC Fight Night: Gustafsson vs. Teixeira

Stockholm, Sweden Win

Nikita Krylov Submission (guillotine choke) UFC 206

Toronto, Ontario, Canada Win

Ion Cuțelaba Submission (arm-triangle choke) UFC Fight Night: MacDonald vs. Thompson

Ottawa, Ontario, Canada Win

Alex Nicholson Submission (neck crank) UFC Fight Night: Hendricks vs. Thompson

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Daniel Jolly KO (punches) UFC Fight Night: Holloway vs. Oliveira

Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada Win

Shaun Asher Submission (armbar) Hard Knocks 43

Calgary, Alberta, Canada Win

Rodney Wallace TKO (head kick) Hard Knocks 41

Calgary, Alberta, Canada Win

Martin Desilets Submission (inverted triangle choke) PFC 2

London, Ontario, Canada Win

Jon Ganshorn Submission (armbar) Fivestar FL 9: Northern Nightmare

Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, Canada Loss

Aaron Johnson Submission (heel hook) King of the Ring VI

Norcross, Georgia, United States Win

Ali Mokdad Decision (unanimous) Score Fighting Series 3

Sarnia, Ontario, Canada Win

Ion Cherdivara Decision (unanimous) Knockout Entertainment - MMA: The Reckoning

Orillia, Ontario, Canada Win

Ricardeau Francois TKO (punches) Ultimate Generation Combat 26

Montreal, Quebec, Canada Win

Shawn Pauliuk Submission (punches) Armageddon FC 3: Evolution

Victoria, British Columbia, Canada Loss

Roy Boughton Submission (armbar) Warrior One MMA 5

Montreal, Quebec, Canada Win

Jeff Doyle TKO (punches) Ringside MMA 5: Triple Threat

Montreal, Quebec, Canada