Rizvan Kuniev and Tyrell Fortune, UFC weigh-in in Abu Dhabi. Photo: Youtube/UFC.
Heavyweight Tyrell Fortune made a memorable UFC debut earlier this year, defeating Polish standout Marcin Tybura (the score was initially read in Tybura’s favor and Fortune was brought back into the cage for correction).
On Saturday at the UFC tournament in Abu Dhabi, he fought his second fight against former Eagle FC champion and PFL heavyweight Rizvan Kuniev, who was ahead of Fortune in 8th place.
Fortune had some success early with outside leg kicks and then connected with a right hand that landed. Kuniev looked unperturbed, rebooted and began to escort Kuniev downstairs. He eventually got the better of Fortuna, landing a few shots before the break. Fortune threw a kick to the head, but it was blocked; Kuniev landed a body shot of his own. Kuniev’s running knee was explosive, but moments later Fortune connected with another right hand. Kuniev was the first to retaliate with a punch to the body, and Fortune was injured! He covered himself and managed to pin his knee to his body, which otherwise could have spelled disaster.
Kuniev’s next onslaught landed another knee; the couple huddled together, Kuniev was sitting behind the wheel. Not that Fortune was completely lost, as he landed an uppercut in the same clinch. They broke shortly before the bell, and Kuniev most likely won the round.
Kuniev began to light up Fortuna early in the second round, and the American soon developed swelling around one eye. Moments later, a knee connected and Fortune covered. He survived, but moments later found himself under fire again. Kuniev turned on the clinch and threw several more punches from his knees. Every time Kuniev approached, Fortuna actively covered. Pure defense, just trying to survive. Another huge elbow is connected. More blows from Kuniev, one in response from Fortuna.
Despite how hurt he was, Fortune was still able to land a big right hand with about 90 seconds left in the second round. Kuniev then took him back to the fence, landing a couple of standing elbows.
Between rounds, Fortune told his corner in no uncertain terms that a rib injury sustained in one of Kuniev’s knees was making it difficult for him to breathe. He came out swinging to start the third, but soon covered as Kuniev moved forward. Moments later, a knee landed, and after another strike, another knee to the head, Tyrell Fortune finally went down.
Kuniev, already in the top 10, will rise one or two places next week.
Official result: Rizvan Kuniev def. Tyrell Fortune won by TKO, round 3, 1:12