UFC Fight Night: Rizvan Kuniev vs Tyrell Fortune Preview & Prediction
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A heavyweight clash serves as the second fight on the main card, with Rizvan Kuniev taking on Tyrell Fortune.
Rizvan Kuniev vs Tyrell Fortune facts
What time are Rizvan Kuniev and Tyrell Fortune expected to walk out?
Where is UFC Fight Night: Ankalaev vs Guskov? Etihad Arena, Abu Dhabi, UAE
Where can I get tickets for UFC Fight Night: Ankalaev vs Guskov? Click here for the latest ticket information for UFC Fight Night 282
What TV channel is UFC Fight Night: Ankalaev vs Guskov on? UK – TNT Sports / USA – Paramount
Where can I stream UFC Fight Night: Ankalaev vs Guskov? UK – TNT Sports can stream the event online via the TNT Sports website and HBO Max / USA – Paramount+ & UFC Fight Pass
UFC Fight Night: Ankalaev vs Guskov main card
Magomed Ankalaev vs Bogdan Guskov (Light Heavyweight)
Steve Erceg vs Ramazan Temirov (Flyweight)
Islam Dulatov vs Wellington Turman (Welterweight)
Magomed Zaynukov vs Damian Rzepecki (Lightweight)
Rizvan Kuniev vs Tyrell Fortune (Heavyweight)
Abubakar Vagaev vs Saygid Izagakhmaev (Welterweight)
UFC Fight Night: Ankalaev vs Guskov prelims
Valter Walker vs Thomas Petersen (Heavyweight)
Dustin Jacoby vs Muhammad Said (Light Heavyweight)
Santiago Ponzinibbio vs Sam Patterson (Welterweight)
Ismael Bonfim vs Axel Sola (Lightweight)
Magomed Tuchalov vs Brendson Ribeiro (Light Heavyweight)
Nurullo Aliev vs Mike Davis (Lightweight)
Cody Gibson vs Abdul Hussein (Bantamweight)
Rizvan Kuniev: A Russian veteran looking to build on an uninspiring win last time out
PFL export, Rizvan Kuniev (14-3-1, 1 NC), needed two appearances on the Contender Series to make it to the UFC, only to promptly spend an extended period of time on the sidelines for a PED suspension. He would eventually make his debut against Curtis Blaydes, losing a split decision in a fight that the vast majority of pundits and fans scored for the Russian. Kuniev followed that up with a victory over Jailton Almeida to banish the Brazilian to Absolute Championship Akhmat, beating “Malhadinho” in an absolute snoozefest in February. With that being said, he’s primarily been a finisher throughout his pre-UFC career, earning the nod by decision on just four occasions without giving up a stoppage of his own.
Tyrell Fortune: Can the former Bellator alum score the biggest win of his career?
Tyrell Fortune (18-3, 2 NC) won a decision over Marcin Tybura to start his UFC career with a victory, mixing in well timed takedowns to earn all three judges’ nod. The long-time Bellator staple had been fighting cans on the regional circuit after being released from the PFL in 2024 prior to signing with the UFC, a long cry from the days where he was touted as a heavyweight prospect to watch. Fortune has power, but he’s primarily a wrestler. The primary issue with his approach is that he’s not active enough when he does secure takedowns, with the American seemingly content to lay on his opponents rather than trying to land meaningful GNP.
Rizvan Kuniev vs Tyrell Fortune prediction
I think this one could get really ugly, and not in a good way.
This one likely comes down to whether Kuniev can stuff Fortune’s takedowns. My money is on “yes.” Kuniev has fought two of the best wrestlers in the heavyweight division in his first two bouts with the promotion and has shucked off takedowns at an impressive rate. Curtis Blaydes was only able to ground him on two occasions and he didn’t give up a single takedown against Jailton Almeida, a fighter who was known for his relentless attempts to drag the action to the mat.
Fortune was able to ground Marcin Tybura without much difficulty, but “Tybur” is 40 years old and has looked absolutely awful as of late. With the greatest of respect, that’s a fight that Fortune should be finishing if he’s looking to make much of an impact in the heavyweight division. Fortune wasn’t particularly active in his attempts to land GNP even when he landed takedowns and still looked the more tired of the two fighters when the result was read.
Throw in the fact that Kuniev has a considerable size and height advantage, and I like his chances to earn the unanimous decision here, picking away at Fortune with decent combinations on the feet and winning the kickboxing battle while fighting off his takedowns. He may well get grounded once or twice in the process, but the pick is the Russian by unanimous decision.
Prediction: Rizvan Kuniev to win by decision
