LAS VEGAS – The UFC’s heavyweight division has received plenty of criticism as of late, but Rizvan Kuniev thinks he’s exactly what is needed to turn things around.
Whether it’s the messy title picture at the top of the division or other heavyweights delivering lackluster performances lately, the division is currently seen as being in a down period. Kuniev (13-3-1 MMA, 0-1 UFC) aims to be a part of the resurgence, and that could start at UFC Fight Night 266 this Saturday at the Meta APEX.
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Kuniev, who was originally set to face Ryan Spann, now takes on Jailton Almeida in a matchup in which both fighters are looking to rebound from split decision losses.
“I’m happy specifically that it’s a top 6 opponent,” Kuniev said. “The last one was top 5, and I’m still fighting in the tops; I’m fighting top 6 now. So, I’m really excited that it was specifically a top-ranked heavyweight. I like to keep staying here in the top ranks. I’m going to make sure not to let this opportunity slip. This is very important for me, and I’m going to make sure the UFC and the organization knows that I appreciate these of opportunies, and I’m going to make sure to do whatever I can to answer that call and show them that I belong here.”
In his UFC debut after earning a contract on Dana White’s Contender Series in August 2024, Kuniev faced former interim title challenger Curtis Blaydes last June, and took a scorecard off him. Despite the split decision loss, Kuniev is eager not only to get back in there against another top-ranked heavyweight but also to maintain a high level of activity, similar to that of Waldo Cortes-Acosta, who turned in five fights in 2025.
With a win Saturday, Kuniev could see himself matched up against Cortes-Acosta as well, who has been praised as one of the division’s shining stars lately.
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“I would be happy to fight him, because the UFC needs heavyweights like me and him that are active, that want to stay active, that want to fight all the time,” Kuniev said. “We’re all professionals here. A lot of the heavyweights fight one time a year, maybe two times a year and that’s it. If you don’t have any injuries, you should be active, you should fight all the time and show exciting fights just like I do and just like Acosta does.”
This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Rizvan Kuniev wants to help revive UFC heavyweight division
