Rizvan Kuniev

Rizvan Kuniev is a Russian heavyweight competing in the UFC, hailing from Makhachkala, in Russia's Dagestan region.

He began training in wushu sanda at age 16 before transitioning to mixed martial arts at 20, joining Gorets Fight Club in his hometown, where he built the foundation of his career on the Russian regional circuit.

Before reaching the UFC, Kuniev compiled a lengthy record on the European and Russian regional scene, winning the heavyweight championship of Eagle FC, the promotion founded by Khabib Nurmagomedov, along with other regional titles. He earned his UFC contract with a first-round TKO finish of Hugo Cunha on Dana White's Contender Series in 2024.

Standing 6-foot-4 with notable size and reach for the division, Kuniev fights as a heavy-handed striker who uses his frame to close distance and pressure opponents. He has also shown finishing ability on the mat, submitting Anthony Hamilton with a guillotine choke at Eagle FC 46. Nearly half of his professional wins have come by knockout or TKO, underscoring the power that has carried much of his career.

His UFC tenure began with a split-decision loss to Curtis Blaydes in his promotional debut in Baku, Azerbaijan, a card held near his home region of Dagestan and supported by a strong local following. He rebounded with a unanimous-decision win over Jailton Almeida, a highly ranked heavyweight grappler, at UFC Vegas 113.

Representing Dagestan's deep pipeline of combat sports talent, Kuniev has built his career on power striking and durability, working to establish himself among the UFC's heavyweight contenders.