Overview
- Kuniev won on scores of 30-27, 30-27 and 29-28 after a clinch-heavy three rounds at the Meta APEX in Las Vegas.
- Referee Dan Miragliotta repeatedly separated the fighters during extended fence clinches as boos and “break them up” chants rang out.
- Kuniev stepped in on short notice against the higher-ranked Almeida, turning the result into a notable upset with potential ranking implications.
- Almeida suffered a second straight decision loss, prompting calls from fans and commentators for a roster cut or a move back to light heavyweight.
- Event-wide criticism grew after reports noted only four finishes across 13 fights, reinforcing concerns about the heavyweight field’s thin slate of compelling contenders.