Heavyweight Tyrell Fortune made a memorable UFC debut earlier this year, defeating ranked Polish standout Marcin Tybura (the scores were originally read in favor of Tybura, with Fortune being brought back into the cage for the correction).
At UFC Abu Dhabi on Saturday, he had his second assignment against ex-Eagle FC champ and PFL heavyweight Rizvan Kuniev, ranked one spot ahead of Fortune at #8.
Fortune found some success with outside leg kicks early, and followed it up with a right hand that hit the mark. Kuniev appeared unfazed, reset, and started walking Kuniev down. He’s eventually clinch up with Fortune, getting several shots in before the break. Fortune fired a head kick that was blocked; Kuniev landed a kick of his own to the body. A running knee from Kuniev was explosive, but moments later, another Fortune right hand connected. Kuniev fired a spinning back first to the body, and Fortune was hurt! He covered up, and managed to block a knee to the body that might otherwise have spelled disaster.
In the next onslaught from Kuniev, another knee landed; the pair clinched up, Kuniev in the driver’s seat. Not that Fortune was completely lost, as he landed an uppercut in that same clinch. They broke just before the bell, with Kuniev likely taking the round.
Kuniev began lighting up Fortune early in round two, and soon the American was showing swelling around one eye. Moments later, a knee connected, and Fortune was covering up. He survived, but was under fire again moments later. Kuniev put the clinch on and fired more knees. Every time Kuniev approached, Fortune proactively covered up. Sheer defense, just trying to survive. Another huge knee connected. More punches from Kuniev, one in response from Fortune.
Despite how hurt he was, Fortune was still able to connect with a big right hand, about 90 seconds still remaining in the second round. Kuniev then walked him back to the fence, landing a couple of standing elbows.
Between rounds, Fortune told his corner in no uncertain terms that an injury to his ribs, from one of those Kuniev knees, was making it hard to breathe. He came out swinging to start the third, but was soon covering up as Kuniev pressed forward. A jump knee landed moments later, and after one more blow, another knee to the head, Tyrell Fortune finally went down.
Already in the top 10, Kuniev will be creeping up a spot or two next week.
Official Result: Rizvan Kuniev def. Tyrell Fortune by TKO, Round 3, 1:12
