Yana Kunitskaya

By FCF Staff

Cris “Cyborg” is widely considered to be one of the most powerful and dangerous female fighters on the planet, but Yana Kunitskaya says she can hang with the UFC champ, in the strength department.

The former Invicta FC bantamweight champ will challenge “Cyborg” for her featherweight title, this Saturday night at UFC 222. Recently Kunitskaya was a guest on MMA Junkie.com Radio, and she had this to say about the Brazilian star (quote via MMA Junkie):

“Since she started fighting in Strikeforce (I’ve been thinking about it),” Kunitskaya said. “I wanted to fight in Strikeforce, but I couldn’t get a visa, an American visa. After she was fighting in Invicta and then in UFC. All my career I was thinking about this; one day I would fight her. I’m happy this is happening in big show in the UFC, and it’s a good chance for me.”

“I know that she’s strong, but I don’t think she has that strong of knockout power,” Kunitskaya added, while discussing “Cyborg’s” power. “She has no clean knockouts where girls go down, like Holly (Holm) have. But yes, she’s very tough. She finishes all the fights by technical knockout. I think I’m strong, too, strong enough to compare with her.”

Kunitskaya’s last bout took place in August, 2017, when she earned a decision win over Raquel Pa’aluhi at Invicta FC  25.