Tyrell Fortune
USA
Looks to stay unbeaten in UFC
Fortune will take on Rizvan Kuniev in a heavyweight matchup at UFC Baku on June 27, Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl reports.
ANALYSIS
The UFC Heavyweight division is thin, to put it lightly, so Fortune was able to break into the rankings at No. 11 following a win over Marcin Tybura in his UFC debut. He racked up only 30 significant strikes in the 15-minute affair, but three takedowns and 5:07 of control time were enough to get him the W in the eyes of the judges. He now draws Kuniev, who has been a lower-volume striker himself, but sports a 93 percent takedown defense, which could pose a challenge to Fortune's game. Kuniev currently sits at No. 8 in the rankings, so it's safe to say his spot in the top-10 is on the line here.
The UFC Heavyweight division is thin, to put it lightly, so Fortune was able to break into the rankings at No. 11 following a win over Marcin Tybura in his UFC debut. He racked up only 30 significant strikes in the 15-minute affair, but three takedowns and 5:07 of control time were enough to get him the W in the eyes of the judges. He now draws Kuniev, who has been a lower-volume striker himself, but sports a 93 percent takedown defense, which could pose a challenge to Fortune's game. Kuniev currently sits at No. 8 in the rankings, so it's safe to say his spot in the top-10 is on the line here.
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Wins decision in UFC debut
Fortune defeated Marcin Tybura via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28) at UFC Fight Night on Saturday in Seattle.
ANALYSIS
A former Bellator standout who competed there from November 2016 to April 2023, Fortune made his UFC debut here at age 35 and was essentially as advertised. He showed a decent grappling game, landing 3-of-5 takedowns for 5:07 worth of control time. Fortune also displayed a poor gas tank, although he won each of the first two rounds on all three scorecards, and that was enough for him to cruise to the decision. The Oregon native is unlikely to go on any sort of run with his new employer, although the lack of depth in the heavyweight division should give Fortune a chance to hover around the .500 mark moving forward.
A former Bellator standout who competed there from November 2016 to April 2023, Fortune made his UFC debut here at age 35 and was essentially as advertised. He showed a decent grappling game, landing 3-of-5 takedowns for 5:07 worth of control time. Fortune also displayed a poor gas tank, although he won each of the first two rounds on all three scorecards, and that was enough for him to cruise to the decision. The Oregon native is unlikely to go on any sort of run with his new employer, although the lack of depth in the heavyweight division should give Fortune a chance to hover around the .500 mark moving forward.
UFC debut scheduled
Fortune is scheduled to compete against Marcin Tybura in a heavyweight fight at UFC Seattle on March 28, per Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl.
ANALYSIS
Fortune spent time with Bellator and the PFL before signing with the UFC at age 35. He has a 17-3 record with 11 KO/TKOs, bringing a strong finishing rate to the promotion. In under three weeks' notice, Fortune will take on Tybura, whose relatively durable but inconsistent track record suggests he will provide a tough yet beatable opponent for the former in his first appearance.
Fortune spent time with Bellator and the PFL before signing with the UFC at age 35. He has a 17-3 record with 11 KO/TKOs, bringing a strong finishing rate to the promotion. In under three weeks' notice, Fortune will take on Tybura, whose relatively durable but inconsistent track record suggests he will provide a tough yet beatable opponent for the former in his first appearance.
Grinds away Giovanni Sarran in the opener of Bellator 201
Fortune defeated Giovanni Sarran via TKO (punches) at 4:35 of Round 2 at Bellator 201 on Friday in Temecula, Calif.
ANALYSIS
The was a fight between two different levels of athletes. Fortune was able to walk into the clinch, land hard knees and then land a takedown. From the top, he was able to posture up and land hard strikes. Sarran tried to move on the ground, but he did not have the skill or ability to escape. Many refs would have stopped the fight in the first round, but UFC veteran Frank Trigg allowed Sarran to take a lot of punishment on the bottom. For the second round, Fortune scored another takedown and eventually pounded out his opponent.
The was a fight between two different levels of athletes. Fortune was able to walk into the clinch, land hard knees and then land a takedown. From the top, he was able to posture up and land hard strikes. Sarran tried to move on the ground, but he did not have the skill or ability to escape. Many refs would have stopped the fight in the first round, but UFC veteran Frank Trigg allowed Sarran to take a lot of punishment on the bottom. For the second round, Fortune scored another takedown and eventually pounded out his opponent.
Returns with a win at Bellator 193
Fortune defeated Joe Hernandez via unanimous decision (30-26, 30-26, 30-26) at Bellator 193 on Friday in Temecula, Calif.
ANALYSIS
In his fourth professional fight, Fortune appeared to be working on things in the cage. The wrestler spent a lot of the fight trying to pump out a jab. It was not the most exciting performance, but it was effective. At this point in his career, a fighter should try new things. If Fortune continues to improve his striking, he will become a much more dangerous heavyweight. In the last round, Fortune went to his wrestling early and dominated. With the win over Hernandez, he improved to 4-0 as a professional with all his fights coming under the Bellator banner.
In his fourth professional fight, Fortune appeared to be working on things in the cage. The wrestler spent a lot of the fight trying to pump out a jab. It was not the most exciting performance, but it was effective. At this point in his career, a fighter should try new things. If Fortune continues to improve his striking, he will become a much more dangerous heavyweight. In the last round, Fortune went to his wrestling early and dominated. With the win over Hernandez, he improved to 4-0 as a professional with all his fights coming under the Bellator banner.
Earns odd stoppage in second Bellator fight
Fortune defeated Will Johnson via TKO (Punches) at 4:27 of Round 2 at Bellator 171 in Mulvane, Kan. on Saturday
ANALYSIS
This fight was two different levels of athlete. Fortune was able to land harder shots from the start and even hit a lateral drop. However, Johnson was more than game. Towards the middle of the first round Johnson landed two hard groin strikes the slowed Fortune to the crawl. In the second round, the wrestler went to his wrestling. He got to the clinch and landed a takedown. While on the ground, he was landing a fair amount of punches. Out of nowhere, the referee stopped the fight and claimed Johnson said "stop." Despite the odd ending, Fortune appeared to be the better fighter and continues to improve.
This fight was two different levels of athlete. Fortune was able to land harder shots from the start and even hit a lateral drop. However, Johnson was more than game. Towards the middle of the first round Johnson landed two hard groin strikes the slowed Fortune to the crawl. In the second round, the wrestler went to his wrestling. He got to the clinch and landed a takedown. While on the ground, he was landing a fair amount of punches. Out of nowhere, the referee stopped the fight and claimed Johnson said "stop." Despite the odd ending, Fortune appeared to be the better fighter and continues to improve.