UFC 333: Rizvan Kuniev Sent For Precautionary X-Rays Following Unanimous Decision Defeat

Rizvan Kuniev Sent For X-Rays After UFC 333 Defeat© Instagram

Rizvan Kuniev lasted all three rounds against Alexander Volkov at UFC 333, but his night ended with a trip to hospital. The heavyweight was sent for precautionary X-rays on his leg after Saturday's unanimous decision defeat in Abu Dhabi, according to MMA Mania. Volkov's leg kicks had taken their toll during the bout at Etihad Arena. Kuniev kept fighting through to the final bell, losing on scores of 29-28, 30-27 and 30-27. The hospital report did not include the results of those scans or a confirmed diagnosis.

Volkov Keeps Kuniev At Range Before Late Submission Attempts

Volkov made Kuniev work to get anywhere near him. His jab and kicks kept the shorter man at range, and closing that distance did not guarantee Kuniev much relief. Volkov also had success in the clinch, an area where Kuniev usually does some of his best work.

There were openings for Kuniev, including a spinning backfist in the third round. He pressed forward and traded, but Volkov answered with a sharp combination before taking the fight down.The closing stretch belonged to the veteran. Volkov took Kuniev's back and spent the final 90 seconds looking for a submission. Kuniev defended the rear-naked choke attempts and reached the horn, though he could not turn that escape into a late rally.

For Volkov, it was a third straight victory and the 41st win of his professional career. He also turned 38 on fight night.

Defeat Ends Kuniev's Two-Fight Winning Run

Kuniev had arrived in Abu Dhabi with consecutive victories over Jailton Almeida and Tyrell Fortune. Beating Volkov would have given him a much stronger argument for a place among the heavyweight division's leading contenders.

Instead, his UFC record fell to 2-2. His other defeat in the promotion came against Curtis Blaydes in his debut, a split decision that drew considerable disagreement: 11 of 13 media scorecards collected for that bout favored Kuniev.

He earned his UFC contract through Dana White's Contender Series in August 2024, stopping Hugo Cunha in the opening round. His two subsequent UFC wins came by different routes: a decision against Almeida and a stoppage of Fortune, before Volkov halted that progress on Saturday night.Volkov was already looking beyond Saturday's result when he spoke inside the cage.

“What should I do to get a title shot? Answer me, please,” he asked Dana White.

Kuniev's immediate concern was the leg examination. MMA Mania described the hospital transfer as precautionary; there was no announced recovery timetable accompanying the report.