Yana Kunitskaya – Page 2 – Syndication Server

Irene Aldana, Yana Kunitskaya to square off at UFC 264 in Las Vegas

A fight between two of the top 135-pound women in the UFC is set for the McGregor-Poirier 3 undercard.

Before Dustin Poirier and Conor McGregor meet inside the cage for the third time, two of the UFC’s top women’s bantamweight contenders will collide on the same card.

[autotag]Irene Aldana[/autotag] and [autotag]Yana Kunitskaya[/autotag] are set to collide July 10 at UFC 264. The pay-per-view event, which takes place at T-Mobile Arena, will mark the first time since UFC 248 in March 2020 where the promotion has held a full capacity show in Las Vegas.

A person with knowledge of the matchup confirmed the booking to MMA Junkie on Tuesday but asked to remain anonymous as the promotion has yet to make an official announcement. Mexican news outlet Milenio was the first to report the news.

To close out 2019, Aldana (12-6 MMA, 5-4 UFC) won back-to-back fights as she ascended up the divisional ladder. She first earned a unanimous decision over Vanessa Melo, before she knocked Ketlen Vieira out inside Round 1. In her first UFC headliner against Holly Holm, however, Aldana had her two-fight winning streak snapped by unanimous decision.

Kuntiskaya (14-5 MMA, 4-2 UFC) enters UFC 264 on a two-fight winning streak. On the heels of a loss to Aspen Ladd, Kunitskaya defeated Julija Stoliarenko by unanimous decision. She followed that up with another unanimous decision in her most recent outing in February, when she defeated Ketlen Vieira.

With the addition, the UFC 264 lineup includes:

Dustin Poirier vs. Conor McGregor
Gilbert Burns vs. Stephen Thompson
Jessica Eye vs. Jennifer Maia
Ryan Hall vs. Ilia Topuria
Omari Akhmedov vs. Brad Tavares
Jerome Rivera vs. Zhalgas Zhumagulov
Greg Hardy vs. Tai Tuivasa
Dricus Du Plessis vs. Trevin Giles
Sean O’Malley vs. Louis Smolka
Irene Aldana vs. Yana Kunitskaya

[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqvpne7c1q486dvv player_id=none image=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/wp-content/plugins/mm-video/images/playlist-icon.png]

MMA rankings report: Breaking down moves for Derrick Lewis, Yana Kunitskaya

“Gorgeous” George Garcia provides the explanation behind the moves in the latest USA TODAY Sports/MMA Junkie rankings.

At UFC Fight Night 185, there were fairly significant upsets in the co-main and main events.

In the headliner in Las Vegas, [autotag]Derrick Lewis[/autotag] (25-7 MMA, 16-5 UFC) took out Curtis Blaydes (14-3 MMA, 9-3 UFC) with a brutal second-round knockout and derailed Blaydes’ hopes for a title shot in the near future. In the co-feature, [autotag]Yana Kunitskaya[/autotag] (14-5 MMA, 4-2 UFC) outworked Ketlen Vieira (11-2 MMA, 5-2 UFC) for a unanimous decision and stopped Vieira’s momentum in the women’s bantamweight division.

With those two results, what were the moves to make in the latest USA TODAY Sports/MMA Junkie rankings? MMA Junkie’s John Morgan and MMA Junkie Radio’s “Gorgeous” George Garcia walk us through the changes in the latest edition of the MMA rankings report.

You can check it out in the video above.

[listicle id=590416]

[vertical-gallery id=589890]

[vertical-gallery id=589888]

UFC Fight Night 185 medical suspensions: Derrick Lewis among 10 facing lengthy layoffs

Headliner Derrick Lewis is among 10 fighters who could be facing lengthy time off after UFC Fight Night 185.

Despite notching a huge victory at UFC Fight Night 185, [autotag]Derrick Lewis[/autotag] may be forced to sit out for a long period of time.

Lewis (25-7 MMA, 16-5 UFC), who scored a big knockout win of [autotag]Curtis Blaydes[/autotag] (14-3 MMA, 9-3 UFC) in the second round of their main event clash in Las Vegas, will need doctor clearance for his right hand and wrist or he could face up to six months on the sidelines.

Also facing potential 180-day terms is [autotag]Charles Rosa[/autotag], who suffered a unanimous decision loss to [autotag]Darrick Minner[/autotag]. Rosa (13-5 MMA, 4-5 UFC) must have an X-ray on his right hand.

Surging heavyweight [autotag]Chris Daukaus[/autotag] (11-3 MMA, 3-0 UFC) also needs an X-ray on his right hand after stopping [autotag]Aleksei Oleinik[/autotag] in the first round.

MMA Junkie obtained the full list of suspensions from MixedMartialArts.com, the Association of Boxing Commissions’ official record keeper.

The full list of UFC Fight Night 185 medical suspensions includes:

Derrick Lewis: Needs X-ray of right hand and wrist, and clearance by doctor, otherwise suspended 180 days; minimum suspension is 21 days with 14 days no contact.
Curtis Blaydes: Suspended 60 days with 45 days no contact.
[autotag]Yana Kunitskaya[/autotag]: No suspension.
[autotag]Ketlen Vieira[/autotag]: Suspended 45 days with 30 days no contact due to right forehead laceration.
Darrick Minner: Suspended 21 days with 14 days no contact.
Charles Rosa: Needs X-ray of right hand, and clearance by doctor, otherwise suspended 180 days; minimum suspension is 45 days with 30 days no contact due to forehead laceration.
Chris Daukaus: Needs X-ray of right hand, and clearance by doctor, otherwise suspended 180 days
Aleksei Oleinik: Suspended 45 days with 30 days no contact.
[autotag]Phil Hawes[/autotag]: Suspended 30 days with 21 days no contact due to left eyebrow and right cheek lacerations.
[autotag]Nassourdine Imamov[/autotag]: Suspended 30 days with 21 days no contact.
[autotag]Tom Aspinall[/autotag]: Suspended 30 days with 21 days no contact.
[autotag]Andrei Arlovski[/autotag]: Needs X-ray of right foot, and clearance by doctor, otherwise suspended 180 days; minimum suspension is 45 days with 30 days no contact.
[autotag]Jared Gordon[/autotag]: Suspended 30 days with 21 days no contact.
[autotag]Danny Chavez[/autotag]: Needs X-ray of right foot, and clearance by doctor, otherwise suspended 180 days; minimum suspension is 45 days with 30 days no contact
[autotag]John Castaneda[/autotag]: Needs X-ray of right hand, and clearance by doctor, otherwise suspended 180 days; minimum suspension is 21 days with 14 days no contact.
[autotag]Eddie Wineland[/autotag]: Suspended 45 days with 30 days no contact due to left eyebrow and nose lacerations.
[autotag]Julian Erosa[/autotag]: No suspension.
[autotag]Nate Landwehr[/autotag]: Needs X-ray of nose, and clearance by doctor, otherwise suspended 180 days; minimum suspension is 45 days with 30 days no contact.
[autotag]Casey O’Neill[/autotag]: Suspended 30 days with 21 days no contact.
[autotag]Shana Dobson[/autotag]: Needs left eye cleared by doctor, otherwise suspended 180 days; minimum suspension is 45 days with 30 days no contact due to blurry vision.
[autotag]Jamall Emmers[/autotag]: Needs MRI of lumbar, and clearance by doctor, otherwise suspended 180 days; minimum suspension is 21 days with 14 days no contact due to back spasms.
[autotag]Aiemann Zahabi[/autotag]: No suspension.
[autotag]Drako Rodriguez[/autotag]: Suspended 60 days with 45 days no contact.
[autotag]Serghei Spivac[/autotag]: Suspended 21 days with 14 days no contact.
[autotag]Jared Vanderaa[/autotag]: Needs doctor clearance for nasal bone fracture, otherwise suspended 180 days; minimum suspension is 45 days with 30 days no contact due to eyebrow laceration.

[vertical-gallery id=589890]

UFC Fight Night 185 post-event facts: Derrick Lewis’ stats hits legendary status

Derrick Lewis now has the second most wins of any heavyweight in UFC history after his knockout at UFC Fight Night 185.

UFC Fight Night 185 went down Saturday at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, and the event, which streamed on ESPN+, produced a candidate for “Knockout of the Year.”

[autotag]Derrick Lewis[/autotag] (25-7 MMA, 16-5 UFC) added another incredible highlight to an already remarkable reel when he flattened Curtis Blaydes (14-3 MMA, 9-3 UFC) with a picture-perfect uppercut in the second round of the heavyweight headliner, tying the record for most knockouts in UFC history.

“The Black Beast” already had a solid resume coming in, but it’s even greater now. For more, check below for 40 post-event facts to come out of UFC Fight Night 185.

Callout Collection: Who UFC Fight Night 185 winners want next – and how likely they’ll get them

Derrick Lewis and Tom Aspinall were among those who name-dropped their preferred next opponents at UFC Fight Night 185 in Las Vegas.

Earning wins in the UFC certainly is no easy task, but what comes next is often even more important: the post-fight callout.

So after Saturday’s UFC Fight Night 185 event in Las Vegas, who took advantage of their time on the mic?

See below for this week’s Callout Collection – and just how realistic each one is.

UFC Fight Night 185: Yana Kunitskaya post-fight interview

UFC Fight Night 185 results: Yana Kunitskaya splits open Ketlen Vieira, wins unanimous decision

Yana Kunitskaya was the underdog heading into UFC Fight Night 185 but pulled off a significant win.

[autotag]Yana Kunitskaya[/autotag] made the most of her control at UFC Fight Night 185.

When she fought Ketlen Vieira on Saturday, Kunitskaya (14-5 MMA, 4-2 UFC) won a unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28), despite having almost four minutes less control time than her opponent. Vieira (11-2 MMA, 5-2 UFC) controlled much of the fight, but Kunitskaya landed the damage that swayed the judges in her favor.

The women’s bantamweight bout was the UFC Fight Night 185 co-main event at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. It streamed on ESPN+.

The opening round quickly saw the fighters enter the clinch. Vieira initiated against the fence. After a Kunitskaya reversal, Vieira dragged her to the ground. From there, Vieira slowly worked toward a more dominant position, which she never obtained before the round ended.

For the entirety of Round 2, Kunitskaya was in control. In the opening minute, Kunitskaya secured a takedown. Vieira would get up briefly, but Kunitskaya dragged her back down to the mat and landed ground-and-pound.

[lawrence-related id=590105,590006]

Although she entered Round 3 with momentum, Kunitskaya was swiftly planted to the mat by a Vieira takedown. From half guard, Vieira finally shifted into mount with three minutes remaining. Vieira worked to Kunitskaya’s back.

As Vieira worked for submissions, Kunitskaya landed a series of blind punches before she reversed position. On top, Kunitskaya landed heavy elbows, which sliced Vieira’s head open.

Kunitskaya entered the fight as an underdog and proved the oddsmakers wrong. The victory turns a standalone win into a winning streak for Kunitskaya. She has won four of her most recent five outings. The stretch also includes wins over Lina Lansberg, Marion Reneau, and Julija Stoliarenko.

As for Vieira, the loss sets her back for the second time in three fights. Prior to a unanimous decision win over Sijara Eubanks, Vieira was knocked out by Irene Aldana.

Up-to-the-minute UFC Fight Night 185 results include:

UFC Fight Night 185 predictions: Curtis Blaydes or Derrick Lewis in heavyweight clash?

Check out our staff members’ picks for the UFC Fight Night 185 main card, featuring Curtis Blaydes vs. Derrick Lewis at heavyweight.

	Blaydes vs. Lewis	Kunitskaya vs. Vieira	Minner vs. Rosa	Daukaus vs. Oleinik	Hawes vs. Imavov	Arlovski vs. Aspinall
MMA Junkie readers’ consensus picks 2021: 12-11	Blaydes (58%)	Vieira (66%)	Rosa (78%)	Oleinik (66%)	Hawes (76%)	Aspinall (56%)
Brian Garcia @thegoze 2021: 15-8 2017 Champion	Lewis	Vieira	Rosa	Oleinik	Imavov	Arlovski
John Morgan @MMAjunkieJohn 2021: 15-8	Blaydes	Vieira	Rosa	Daukaus	Imavov	Arlovski
George Garcia @MMAjunkieGeorge 2021: 15-8	Lewis	Vieira	Rosa	Oleinik	Hawes	Arlovski
Dan Tom @DanTomMMA 2021: 14-9 2020 Champion	Lewis	Vieira	Rosa	Daukaus	Hawes	Aspinall
Danny Segura @dannyseguratv 2021: 14-9	Lewis	Vieira	Rosa	Daukaus	Hawes	Aspinall
Mike Bohn @MikeBohnMMA 2021: 14-9 2014 Champion	Blaydes	Vieira	Rosa	Oleinik	Imavov	Aspinall
Simon Head @simonhead 2021: 12-11 2019 Champion*	Blaydes	Vieira	Rosa	Daukaus	Hawes	Aspinall
Ken Hathaway @kenshathaway 2021: 12-11 2018 Champion	Lewis	Vieira	Rosa	Daukaus	Hawes	Aspinall
Abbey Subhan @kammakaze 2021: 11-12	Lewis	Vieira	Rosa	Daukaus	Hawes	Aspinall
Farah Hannoun @Farah_Hannoun 2021: 11-12	Blaydes	Vieira	Rosa	Daukaus	Hawes	Aspinall
Matt Erickson @MMAjunkieMatt 2021: 11-12	Blaydes	Vieira	Rosa	Oleinik	Hawes	Aspinall
Simon Samano @SJSamano 2021: 11-12	Blaydes	Vieira	Rosa	Daukaus	Hawes	Aspinall
Nolan King @mma_kings 2021: 10-13	Blaydes	Vieira	Rosa	Daukaus	Imavov	Arlovski

The UFC stays in its home base this week with a key heavyweight bout atop the bill.

UFC Fight Night 185 takes place Saturday at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. The card streams on ESPN+.

(Click here to open a PDF of the staff picks grid in a separate window.)

[lawrence-related id=589791,589599]

In the main event, [autotag]Curtis Blaydes[/autotag] (14-2 MMA, 9-2 UFC) takes on former heavyweight title challenger [autotag]Derrick Lewis[/autotag] (24-7 MMA, 15-5 UFC). The winner is expected to stay in the hunt for a title shot. Blaydes is the biggest favorite on the entire card at -450 at BetMGM, but he’s only got a narrow 7-6 picks lead from our 13 editors, writers, videographers and radio hosts.

In the co-feature, [autotag]Yana Kunitskaya[/autotag] (13-5 MMA, 3-2 UFC) takes on [autotag]Ketlen Vieira[/autotag] (11-1 MMA, 5-1 UFC) in a key women’s bantamweight fight. Vieira is a -275 favorite at the betting window, and she’s one of two unanimous picks on our main card at 13-0.

The other unanimous pick is [autotag]Charles Rosa[/autotag] (13-4 MMA, 4-4 UFC) in his featherweight bout against [autotag]Darrick Minner[/autotag] (25-11 MMA, 1-1 UFC). Rosa only is a mild favorite at -190, but he’s got unanimous love from our staff members.

[autotag]Chris Daukaus[/autotag] (10-3 MMA, 2-0 UFC) is a 2-1 favorite in his heavyweight bout against [autotag]Aleksei Oleinik[/autotag] (59-14-1 MMA, 8-5 UFC), and he’s got a decent lead in the picks at 9-4.

The closest fight on the main card from an odds perspective is between [autotag]Phil Hawes[/autotag] (9-2 MMA, 1-0 UFC) and [autotag]Nassourdine Imavov[/autotag] (9-2 MMA, 1-0 UFC) at middleweight. Hawes is just a slight favorite at -125, but he’s got a sizable picks lead at 9-4.

And to open the main card, former heavyweight champion [autotag]Andrei Arlovski[/autotag] (30-19 MMA, 19-13 UFC) meets [autotag]Tom Aspinall[/autotag] (9-2 MMA, 2-0 UFC). Aspinall is a -250 favorite and has a 9-4 lead in the picks.

In the MMA Junkie reader consensus picks, Blaydes (58 percent), Vieira (66 percent), Rosa (78 percent), Oleinik (66 percent), Hawes (76 percent) and Aspinall (56 percent) are the choices.

Check out all the picks above.

[listicle id=589617]

[vertical-gallery id=391998]

UFC Fight Night 185: Yana Kunitskaya media day interview

Yana Kunitskaya talks to the media pre-fight at UFC Fight Night 185 before her women’s bantamweight co-headliner against Ketlen Vieira on Saturday in Las Vegas.

Ketlen Vieira vs. Yana Kunitskaya rebooked for UFC Fight Night on Feb. 20

Ketlen Vieira and Yana Kunitskaya originally were supposed to fight this past August.

The bantamweight matchup between [autotag]Ketlen Vieira[/autotag] and [autotag]Yana Kunitskaya[/autotag] has been rescheduled.

Vieira (11-1 MMA, 5-1 UFC) will face Kunitskaya (13-5-1 MMA, 3-2 UFC) at UFC Fight Night on Feb. 20, which has yet to be assigned a location. A person with knowledge of the situation confirmed the booking to MMA Junkie after an initial post from Kunitskaya on her social media.

The pair initially was slated to square off this past August, but visa issues forced Vieira out of the bout, and she was replaced by Julija Stoliarenko. Kunitskaya won the fight via unanimous decision.

After suffering her first career loss to Irene Aldana last December at UFC 245, Vieira rebounded with a unanimous decision win over Sijara Eubanks in September at UFC 253.

[vertical-gallery id=527869]