UFC Fight Night: Ankalaev vs. Guskov  25 Jul 2026 · Etihad Arena, Abu Dhabi, AE

Rizvan Kuniev defeats Tyrell Fortune by KO/TKO

Win Rizvan Kuniev 14-3-1
Loss Tyrell Fortune 18-4-0
KO/TKO · strikes

Round 3 · 1:12

Kuniev vs Fortune — Heavyweight · UFC Fight Night: Ankalaev vs. Guskov

Predictions summary

What happened

The result, the defining moments, and what the verdict means.

Kuniev hurt Fortune on the feet multiple times.

He showed control and defensive wrestling in the clinch.

Kuniev closed the fight early in round three with strikes.

Pre-fight analysis — how we saw it going in

Case for Kuniev

Kuniev arrives on the best win of his career — a decision over Jailton Almeida — and a competitive split-decision loss to Curtis Blaydes that proved he belongs with the division's wrestlers. The American Top Team heavyweight blends real grappling with finishing power, and he has faced the sterner recent schedule of the two.

Case for Fortune

Fortune is the wrestler with knockout power stacked on top. Eleven of his eighteen wins are knockouts, he is 4-1 in his last five, and he out-pointed Marcin Tybura in his most recent UFC outing. If he lands his right hand or wins the grappling exchanges, he is capable of closing the show quickly at 35.

What We Were Watching For

  • Two wrestlers: neither man wants to give up top position — whose grappling wins the exchanges?
  • Kuniev's momentum: he just beat Jailton Almeida — does that form carry against another heavy hitter?
  • Fortune's power: eleven knockouts and a fast right hand — one clean shot ends a heavyweight fight.
  • Cardio at heavyweight: if the finish does not come, whose gas tank holds up across three rounds?
Records & career stats
Kuniev vs Fortune
13-3-1
Record
18-3-0
3-1 (1 NC) last 5
Recent formRecent formWin–loss record over the fighter’s last five bouts, newest first, as carried in their UFC/FightMetric career stats.
4-1 last 5
Russia
Nationality
United States
33
Age
36
1.93 m
Height — Kuniev leads
1.91 m
193 cm
Reach
192 cm
—
StanceStanceWhich side a fighter leads from — a striking term, not a religious one. Orthodox: right-handed, left foot and hand forward (the common default). Southpaw: the mirror image, right side forward (usually a left-hander). Switch: changes between the two during a fight.
—
Source pending
Finish rateFinish %Finish rateThe share of a fighter’s wins that ended inside the distance — by KO/TKO or submission — rather than going to the judges’ scorecards. Higher means more finishes.
67%
—
Wins by KO/TKOKO wins
11
2
Wins by submissionSub wins — Kuniev leads
1
4.32
Sig. strikes landed / minStr / min — Kuniev leadsSignificant strikes landed per minuteAverage number of significant strikes a fighter lands for every minute of fight time — a read on striking output and pace. From UFC/FightMetric career stats.
1.91
2.22
Sig. strikes absorbed / minAbs / min — Kuniev leadsSignificant strikes absorbed per minuteAverage number of significant strikes a fighter takes for every minute of fight time. Lower is better — it means they get hit less often. From UFC/FightMetric career stats.
4.31
49%
Striking defenseStrike def.Striking defenseThe percentage of opponents’ significant strikes that do not land — strikes slipped, blocked or evaded. Higher is better. Not the same as striking accuracy, which counts your own strikes that land. From UFC/FightMetric.
51%
94%
Takedown defenseTD def. — Fortune leadsTakedown defenseThe percentage of opponents’ takedown attempts that are stuffed. Higher means harder to put on the mat. From UFC/FightMetric.
100%
11:26
Avg. fight timeAvg. timeAverage fight timeThe mean length of the fighter’s bouts (minutes:seconds) — a rough read on whether they tend to finish early or go the distance. From UFC/FightMetric.
13:06
American Top Team
Team
Arizona Combat Sports

Career stats per UFC.com; recent form is each fighter's last five bouts. Record is as of fight night; career stats, recent form and win totals are the latest on file and may include this fight. Bars compare each stat on a fixed scale; the “Edge” marker flags the leading corner where the gap is meaningful. The snapshot plots five career rates — output, striking defense, durability (strikes absorbed, inverted), takedown defense and finish rate — each normalised on its own scale.

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Who Called It?

How the analysts' picks held up once the cage door closed.

Bedtime MMA
Hear it — 21:53

Current pick evidence

Picked: Rizvan Kuniev

Fight result: Rizvan Kuniev · KO/TKO

Names Rizvan Kuniev as the full-card pick in this preview.

“also going to struggle to take this guy. I'm going to go with Kunv by decision. I”

Analyst track record Track record countsWinner counts resolved calls. Method and Round count only after a correct winner call. Underdog counts picks for a strict underdog in frozen pre-fight odds.Methodology

  • Winner Accuracy 70.8% 121 50
  • Method Accuracy 62.9% 56 33
  • Round Accuracy 38.5% 10 16
  • Underdog Accuracy 48.5% 16 17
View full track record (171 calls)
AJ Devito
Hear it — 42:57

Current pick evidence

Picked: Rizvan Kuniev · Dec

Fight result: Rizvan Kuniev · KO/TKO

Expects Kuniev's positional control and second- and third-round striking to overcome Fortune's early power and wrestling threat.

“I think Rizvan Kuniev pulls out a win over Tyrell Fortune by a decision.”

Analyst track record Track record countsWinner counts resolved calls. Method and Round count only after a correct winner call. Underdog counts picks for a strict underdog in frozen pre-fight odds.Methodology

  • Winner Accuracy 69.6% 165 72
  • Method Accuracy 58.4% 59 42
  • Round Accuracy 75.0% 6 2
  • Underdog Accuracy 46.2% 12 14
View full track record (237 calls)
Michael Chiesa
Hear it — 14:25

Current pick evidence

Picked: Rizvan Kuniev · Dec

Fight result: Rizvan Kuniev · KO/TKO

Favors Kuniev's pocket combinations and knees against Fortune's wrestling entries, but does not expect Fortune to be stopped.

“Kunv shines. So, in terms of my pick, I'm going with Rizvun and I'm taking him”

Analyst track record Track record countsWinner counts resolved calls. Method and Round count only after a correct winner call. Underdog counts picks for a strict underdog in frozen pre-fight odds.Methodology

  • Winner Accuracy 67.7% 42 20
  • Method Accuracy 50.0% 2 2
  • Round AccuracyNo round picks
  • Underdog Accuracy 14.3% 1 6
View full track record (62 calls)
JakeGerberMMA
Hear it — 49:02

Current pick evidence

Picked: Rizvan Kuniev

Fight result: Rizvan Kuniev · KO/TKO

Names Rizvan Kuniev as the full-card pick in this preview.

“Hopefully, I'm wrong, but I think it will be. And I'm going Kunv in a fight”

Analyst track record Track record countsWinner counts resolved calls. Method and Round count only after a correct winner call. Underdog counts picks for a strict underdog in frozen pre-fight odds.Methodology

  • Winner Accuracy 65.4% 83 44
  • Method Accuracy 60.4% 29 19
  • Round Accuracy 44.4% 4 5
  • Underdog Accuracy 30.0% 3 7
View full track record (127 calls)
DFS By The Numbers
Hear it — 20:25

Current pick evidence

Picked: Rizvan Kuniev · Dec

Fight result: Rizvan Kuniev · KO/TKO

Backs Kuniev's cardio, volume and control of where the fight takes place over three rounds.

“volume. RZON's going to dictate where this fight takes place. So, I'm going RZ”

Analyst track record Track record countsWinner counts resolved calls. Method and Round count only after a correct winner call. Underdog counts picks for a strict underdog in frozen pre-fight odds.Methodology

  • Winner Accuracy 64.4% 94 52
  • Method Accuracy 58.5% 48 34
  • Round Accuracy 35.9% 14 25
  • Underdog Accuracy 35.0% 7 13
View full track record (146 calls)
HopperMMA
Hear it — 17:58

Current pick evidence

Picked: Rizvan Kuniev

Fight result: Rizvan Kuniev · KO/TKO

Names Rizvan Kuniev as the full-card pick in this preview.

“beating Marcin Tybura. So, I'm going to go with Rizvan Kuniev. I just think he's”

Analyst track record Track record countsWinner counts resolved calls. Method and Round count only after a correct winner call. Underdog counts picks for a strict underdog in frozen pre-fight odds.Methodology

  • Winner Accuracy 63.6% 77 44
  • Method Accuracy 64.6% 42 23
  • Round Accuracy 47.2% 17 19
  • Underdog Accuracy 26.3% 5 14
View full track record (121 calls)
Andrew Richardson
Read source

Current pick evidence

Picked: Rizvan Kuniev · Dec

Fight result: Rizvan Kuniev · KO/TKO

MMA Mania's UFC Abu Dhabi X-Factor preview has Andrew Richardson picking Rizvan Kuniev by decision.

Analyst track record Track record countsWinner counts resolved calls. Method and Round count only after a correct winner call. Underdog counts picks for a strict underdog in frozen pre-fight odds.Methodology

  • Winner Accuracy 58.6% 34 24
  • Method Accuracy 70.6% 24 10
  • Round AccuracyNo qualifying picks
  • Underdog Accuracy 14.3% 1 6
View full track record (58 calls)
We Want Picks
Hear it — 32:34

Current pick evidence

Picked: Tyrell Fortune

Fight result: Rizvan Kuniev · KO/TKO

Picks Tyrell Fortune as the stronger striker with the wrestling to create his own entries.

“especially in Abu Dhabi. But I'm going to go out on a limb. I'm going to pick”

Analyst track record Track record countsWinner counts resolved calls. Method and Round count only after a correct winner call. Underdog counts picks for a strict underdog in frozen pre-fight odds.Methodology

  • Winner Accuracy 64.1% 93 52
  • Method Accuracy 40.0% 2 3
  • Round AccuracyNo qualifying picks
  • Underdog Accuracy 34.5% 10 19
View full track record (145 calls)

Analyst picks: Bedtime MMA Hit; AJ Devito Hit; Michael Chiesa Hit; JakeGerberMMA Hit; DFS By The Numbers Hit; We Want Picks Miss; HopperMMA Hit; Andrew Richardson Hit.

Analyst prediction scorecards
Expand row
Bedtime MMA171 resolved calls
Bedtime MMA
Hear it — 21:53

Current pick evidence

Picked: Rizvan Kuniev

Fight result: Rizvan Kuniev · KO/TKO

Names Rizvan Kuniev as the full-card pick in this preview.

“also going to struggle to take this guy. I'm going to go with Kunv by decision. I”

Analyst track record Track record countsWinner counts resolved calls. Method and Round count only after a correct winner call. Underdog counts picks for a strict underdog in frozen pre-fight odds.Methodology

  • Winner Accuracy 70.8% 121 50
  • Method Accuracy 62.9% 56 33
  • Round Accuracy 38.5% 10 16
  • Underdog Accuracy 48.5% 16 17
View full track record (171 calls)
Historic market Favourite call, market price 76.5%. Kuniev · to winKuniev · KO/TKO R3HitNot calledNot called
AJ Devito237 resolved calls
AJ Devito
Hear it — 42:57

Current pick evidence

Picked: Rizvan Kuniev · Dec

Fight result: Rizvan Kuniev · KO/TKO

Expects Kuniev's positional control and second- and third-round striking to overcome Fortune's early power and wrestling threat.

“I think Rizvan Kuniev pulls out a win over Tyrell Fortune by a decision.”

Analyst track record Track record countsWinner counts resolved calls. Method and Round count only after a correct winner call. Underdog counts picks for a strict underdog in frozen pre-fight odds.Methodology

  • Winner Accuracy 69.6% 165 72
  • Method Accuracy 58.4% 59 42
  • Round Accuracy 75.0% 6 2
  • Underdog Accuracy 46.2% 12 14
View full track record (237 calls)
Historic market Favourite call, market price 76.5%. Kuniev · DecKuniev · KO/TKO R3HitMissNot called
Michael Chiesa62 resolved calls
Michael Chiesa
Hear it — 14:25

Current pick evidence

Picked: Rizvan Kuniev · Dec

Fight result: Rizvan Kuniev · KO/TKO

Favors Kuniev's pocket combinations and knees against Fortune's wrestling entries, but does not expect Fortune to be stopped.

“Kunv shines. So, in terms of my pick, I'm going with Rizvun and I'm taking him”

Analyst track record Track record countsWinner counts resolved calls. Method and Round count only after a correct winner call. Underdog counts picks for a strict underdog in frozen pre-fight odds.Methodology

  • Winner Accuracy 67.7% 42 20
  • Method Accuracy 50.0% 2 2
  • Round AccuracyNo round picks
  • Underdog Accuracy 14.3% 1 6
View full track record (62 calls)
Historic market Favourite call, market price 76.5%. Kuniev · DecKuniev · KO/TKO R3HitMissNot called
JakeGerberMMA127 resolved calls
JakeGerberMMA
Hear it — 49:02

Current pick evidence

Picked: Rizvan Kuniev

Fight result: Rizvan Kuniev · KO/TKO

Names Rizvan Kuniev as the full-card pick in this preview.

“Hopefully, I'm wrong, but I think it will be. And I'm going Kunv in a fight”

Analyst track record Track record countsWinner counts resolved calls. Method and Round count only after a correct winner call. Underdog counts picks for a strict underdog in frozen pre-fight odds.Methodology

  • Winner Accuracy 65.4% 83 44
  • Method Accuracy 60.4% 29 19
  • Round Accuracy 44.4% 4 5
  • Underdog Accuracy 30.0% 3 7
View full track record (127 calls)
Historic market Favourite call, market price 76.5%. Kuniev · to winKuniev · KO/TKO R3HitNot calledNot called
DFS By The Numbers146 resolved calls
DFS By The Numbers
Hear it — 20:25

Current pick evidence

Picked: Rizvan Kuniev · Dec

Fight result: Rizvan Kuniev · KO/TKO

Backs Kuniev's cardio, volume and control of where the fight takes place over three rounds.

“volume. RZON's going to dictate where this fight takes place. So, I'm going RZ”

Analyst track record Track record countsWinner counts resolved calls. Method and Round count only after a correct winner call. Underdog counts picks for a strict underdog in frozen pre-fight odds.Methodology

  • Winner Accuracy 64.4% 94 52
  • Method Accuracy 58.5% 48 34
  • Round Accuracy 35.9% 14 25
  • Underdog Accuracy 35.0% 7 13
View full track record (146 calls)
Historic market Favourite call, market price 76.5%. Kuniev · DecKuniev · KO/TKO R3HitMissNot called
We Want Picks145 resolved calls
We Want Picks
Hear it — 32:34

Current pick evidence

Picked: Tyrell Fortune

Fight result: Rizvan Kuniev · KO/TKO

Picks Tyrell Fortune as the stronger striker with the wrestling to create his own entries.

“especially in Abu Dhabi. But I'm going to go out on a limb. I'm going to pick”

Analyst track record Track record countsWinner counts resolved calls. Method and Round count only after a correct winner call. Underdog counts picks for a strict underdog in frozen pre-fight odds.Methodology

  • Winner Accuracy 64.1% 93 52
  • Method Accuracy 40.0% 2 3
  • Round AccuracyNo qualifying picks
  • Underdog Accuracy 34.5% 10 19
View full track record (145 calls)
Historic market Underdog call, market price 23.5%. Fortune · to winKuniev · KO/TKO R3MissNot applicable — the winner call missedNot applicable — the winner call missed
HopperMMA121 resolved calls
HopperMMA
Hear it — 17:58

Current pick evidence

Picked: Rizvan Kuniev

Fight result: Rizvan Kuniev · KO/TKO

Names Rizvan Kuniev as the full-card pick in this preview.

“beating Marcin Tybura. So, I'm going to go with Rizvan Kuniev. I just think he's”

Analyst track record Track record countsWinner counts resolved calls. Method and Round count only after a correct winner call. Underdog counts picks for a strict underdog in frozen pre-fight odds.Methodology

  • Winner Accuracy 63.6% 77 44
  • Method Accuracy 64.6% 42 23
  • Round Accuracy 47.2% 17 19
  • Underdog Accuracy 26.3% 5 14
View full track record (121 calls)
Historic market Favourite call, market price 76.5%. Kuniev · to winKuniev · KO/TKO R3HitNot calledNot called
Andrew Richardson58 resolved calls
Andrew Richardson
Read source

Current pick evidence

Picked: Rizvan Kuniev · Dec

Fight result: Rizvan Kuniev · KO/TKO

MMA Mania's UFC Abu Dhabi X-Factor preview has Andrew Richardson picking Rizvan Kuniev by decision.

Analyst track record Track record countsWinner counts resolved calls. Method and Round count only after a correct winner call. Underdog counts picks for a strict underdog in frozen pre-fight odds.Methodology

  • Winner Accuracy 58.6% 34 24
  • Method Accuracy 70.6% 24 10
  • Round AccuracyNo qualifying picks
  • Underdog Accuracy 14.3% 1 6
View full track record (58 calls)
Historic market Favourite call, market price 76.5%. Kuniev · DecKuniev · KO/TKO R3HitMissNot called

7 of 8 nailed it.

The experts above are a lens, not credentials we conferred — analyst, fighter or betting desk.

No AI predictions are available for this fight yet.

No market odds are available for this fight yet.

Independent fan-made fight recap. Not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by the UFC or any other MMA promotion. Analysis is editorial opinion, not betting advice. Fighter names and records are used for commentary. Image credits · Methodology · Privacy · Terms.