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Losing streak hits two
Kunchenko lost to Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos via unanimous decision (28-29, 28-29, 28-29) at UFC Fight Night on Saturday in Brasilia, Brazil.
ANALYSIS
It was the second straight difficult assignment for Kunchenko (he dropped a 29-28 x3 decision to Gilbert Burns last August) and resulted in the second loss of his career. Kunchenko actually finished with a 97-74 edge in total strikes landed, but it was Zaleski dos Santos who connected with the more damaging power shots. Kunchenko's best round was clearly the second, and not coincidentally, that was the only round in which he didn't allow the Brazilian to score a takedown. Kunchenko is a pretty good fighter and he deserves credit for accepting fights against quality competition but sooner or later you have to emerge with a win. The Russian needs to do whatever if necessary to emerge victorious his next time out.
It was the second straight difficult assignment for Kunchenko (he dropped a 29-28 x3 decision to Gilbert Burns last August) and resulted in the second loss of his career. Kunchenko actually finished with a 97-74 edge in total strikes landed, but it was Zaleski dos Santos who connected with the more damaging power shots. Kunchenko's best round was clearly the second, and not coincidentally, that was the only round in which he didn't allow the Brazilian to score a takedown. Kunchenko is a pretty good fighter and he deserves credit for accepting fights against quality competition but sooner or later you have to emerge with a win. The Russian needs to do whatever if necessary to emerge victorious his next time out.
Gets opportunity to bounce back
Kunchenko will take on Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos in a welterweight bout at UFC Brasilia on March 14, MMAJunkie.com reports.
ANALYSIS
Kunchenko will look to rebound after suffering the first loss of his career to Gilbert Burns via unanimous decision at UFC Uruguay in August. The 35-year-old was unable to set the pace during the fight, and his efforts later in the fight weren't enough to secure the victory. Zaleski dos Santos recently had a seven-fight winning streak snapped when he lost to Li Jingliang via TKO (punches) at UFC Shenzhen in August. Zaleski dos Santos carries a higher striking rate, but Kunchenko has shown to be more accurate in the past, as well as better at takedown defense. Zaleski dos Santos has advantages in height and reach as each fighter looks to return to the win column.
Kunchenko will look to rebound after suffering the first loss of his career to Gilbert Burns via unanimous decision at UFC Uruguay in August. The 35-year-old was unable to set the pace during the fight, and his efforts later in the fight weren't enough to secure the victory. Zaleski dos Santos recently had a seven-fight winning streak snapped when he lost to Li Jingliang via TKO (punches) at UFC Shenzhen in August. Zaleski dos Santos carries a higher striking rate, but Kunchenko has shown to be more accurate in the past, as well as better at takedown defense. Zaleski dos Santos has advantages in height and reach as each fighter looks to return to the win column.
Loses undefeated record
Kunchenko lost to Gilbert Burns via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) at UFC Fight Night in Montevideo, Uruguay on Saturday.
ANALYSIS
Kunchenko came into this fight with a gaudy 20-0 record that included some impressive names. However, he was not really able to pull the trigger in the first two rounds of this fight. He allowed Burns to set the pace with his striking and score takedowns. In the final round, Kunchenko had a sense of urgency and outlanded Burns 24 to 8 in the round. However, it was not enough, and the judges awarded the decision to Burns.
Kunchenko came into this fight with a gaudy 20-0 record that included some impressive names. However, he was not really able to pull the trigger in the first two rounds of this fight. He allowed Burns to set the pace with his striking and score takedowns. In the final round, Kunchenko had a sense of urgency and outlanded Burns 24 to 8 in the round. However, it was not enough, and the judges awarded the decision to Burns.
Gets new opponent for UFC Uruguay
Kunchenko (20-0-0) is now scheduled to face Gilbert Burns (15-3-0) in a welterweight fight at UFC Uruguay on Aug. 10, MMAJunkie.com reports.
ANALYSIS
The UFC acted quickly to tab Burns as a replacement for Laureano Staropoli (9-1-0), who backed out of the event in Montevideo a day earlier due to a broken nose. Kunchenko, who is 2-0 since joining the UFC, should have a good chance at keeping his undefeated record intact while Burns is forced to make the jump from the lightweight division to the 170-pound ranks.
The UFC acted quickly to tab Burns as a replacement for Laureano Staropoli (9-1-0), who backed out of the event in Montevideo a day earlier due to a broken nose. Kunchenko, who is 2-0 since joining the UFC, should have a good chance at keeping his undefeated record intact while Burns is forced to make the jump from the lightweight division to the 170-pound ranks.
Loses opponent for UFC Uruguay
Kunchenko will need a new opponent at UFC Ururguay on August 10 after Laureano Staropoli (nose) withdrew from the fight, Raphael Marinho of Combate.com reports.
ANALYSIS
Kunchenko is coming off a victory over Yushin Okami via unanimous decision in December and was poised to face Staropoli in the welterweight bout in August, but he'll now have to await word on a new opponent. There won't be significant time to prepare for said fighter-- assuming a new agreement is reached -- with less than two weeks before the fight.
Kunchenko is coming off a victory over Yushin Okami via unanimous decision in December and was poised to face Staropoli in the welterweight bout in August, but he'll now have to await word on a new opponent. There won't be significant time to prepare for said fighter-- assuming a new agreement is reached -- with less than two weeks before the fight.