Rizvan Kuniev

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 July 25, 2026, he is #5 in the Meta UFC heavyweight rankings.

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.

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

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.

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. Kuniev initially won the fight by unanimous decision, but the result was changed to a no contest when he failed a drug test.

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. He won the fight via first round knockout and was awarded a contract by Dana White.

Ultimate Fighting Championship Kuniev was scheduled to make his UFC debut against Curtis Blaydes on February 22, 2025 at UFC Fight Night 252. However, the bout was moved to March 8, 2025 at UFC 313 for unknown reasons. A few hours before the event took place, Blaydes withdrew due to an undisclosed illness and the bout was scrapped. The bout was rescheduled for May 17, 2025 at UFC Fight Night 256. In turn, the bout was moved once again and eventually took place on June 21, 2025 at UFC on ABC 8. Kuniev lost the fight by split decision. 11 out of 13 media sources scored the fight in favor of Kuniev.

Kuniev was scheduled to face Ryan Spann on February 7, 2026 at UFC Fight Night 266. However, Spann withdrew for undisclosed reasons and was replaced by Jailton Almeida. Kuniev won the fight by unanimous decision.

Kuniev was scheduled to face Tyrell Fortune on June 27, 2026, at UFC Fight Night 280. However, for undisclosed reasons, the bout was moved to July 25, 2026 and took place at UFC Fight Night 282. Kuniev won the fight by technical knockout via knees in the second round. This fight earned him a $100,000 Fight of the Night award.

Kuniev is scheduled to face Alexander Volkov on October 24, 2026 at UFC 333.

Championships and accomplishments Mixed martial arts Ultimate Fighting Championship Fight of the Night (One time)

Mixed martial arts record Win

Tyrell Fortune TKO (knees) UFC Fight Night: Ankalaev vs. Guskov

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates Win

Jailton Almeida Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Bautista vs. Oliveira

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Loss

Curtis Blaydes Decision (split) UFC on ABC: Hill vs. Rountree Jr.

Baku, Azerbaijan Win

Hugo Cunha TKO (knee to the body and punches) Dana White's Contender Series 68

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States NC

Renan Ferreira NC (overturned) PFL 2 (2023)

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Anthony Hamilton Submission (guillotine choke) Eagle FC 46

Miami, Florida, United States Win

Edivan Mineiro Santos TKO (punches) Dana White's Contender Series 41

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Vladimir Daineko TKO (corner stoppage) Eagle FC 31

Nizhny Novgorod, Russia Win

Ruud Vernooij Decision (unanimous) Eagles FC: Next Level

Ciorescu, Moldova Win

Shamil Abasov TKO (punches) Gorilla Fighting 16

Astrakhan, Russia Win

Navid Yadegari Submission (rear-naked choke) Gorets FC: For the Prizes of V. Zolotov

Kaspiysk, Russia Win

José Agustin Jimenez TKO (punches) UMC 1

Monza, Italy Win

Konstantin Andreitsev Decision (unanimous) ProFC 64

Rostov-on-Don, Russia Win

Charles Andrade Decision (unanimous) ProFC 63

Rostov-on-Don, Russia Loss

Justin Willis Decision (majority) Inoki Genome Fight 4

Tokyo, Japan Loss

Darko Stošić Decision (unanimous) Tesla FC 4

Pančevo, Serbia Win

Mikhail Istomin TKO (punches) Voronezh MMA Federation: Mixfight Cup 2012

Voronezh, Russia Draw

Ivan Gayvanovich Draw (unanimous) World MMA Federation: WMAC 2011 Finals

Yalta, Ukraine Win

Anatoli Ciumac Decision (unanimous) World MMA Federation: WMAC 2011 Semifinals

Yalta, Ukraine