Heavyweight: Rizvan Kuniev Vs. Edivan Santos
Tale of the Tape
28-years-old
6’2″
Dagestan, Russia
Gorets FT
10-2-1
Hasn’t lost in six years
29-years-old
6’5″
Curitiba, Parana, Brazil
Espaço Religião da Luta
12-1, 1 NC
100% finish-rate
Pros and Cons
Rizvan Kuniev
Pros
- Heavy leg kicks
- Good endurance
- Good head movement
- Utilizes feints
- Diverse kickboxing
- Solid TDD
- Good jab
Cons
- Low output
- Plodding footwork
Edivan Santos
Pros
- Heavy hands
- Good kicks
- Athletic
- Heavy ground and pound
- Submission threat
- Volume striker
- Fights long well
- Fast starter
Cons
- Can be sloppy
- Questionable gas tank
- Questionable TDD
- Pressed backwards to easy
Who has the advantage?
Striking: Kuniev
Speed: Santos
Output/Volume: Santos
Knockout Power: Santos
Chin: Even
Kickboxing: Kuniev
Footwork: Santos
Wrestling: Even
Grappling: Santos
Submissions: Santos
Cardio: Kuniev
Prediction
Kuniev is a unique heavyweight that brings a different style with his diverse abilities. That said, he can be frustrating to watch since he can be too gun shy, not throwing nearly enough. Santos on the other hand isn’t gun shy at all. He gets right after it, but can be too willing to throw. In other words, the exact opposite problem. That’s why Santos can look a little sloppy and why his cardio is a concern.
Santos has fought awful competition as his last six opponents had a combined 3-43 record. Kuniev has fought better competition and has an extensive wushu sanda background. His low output and flat movement are going to hold him back, especially against more explosive guys. I’m not sure if Santos is the guy but I’m calling upset here. I’m predicting Santos to put Kuniev out early. If he doesn’t in the first five minutes he could be in trouble though.
