Yana Kunitskaya 'so nervous' in Cris Cyborg title loss, plans return to bantamweight

LAS VEGAS – Yana Kunitskaya is getting out of dodge when it comes to the UFC women’s featherweight division following her title-fight loss to Cris Cyborg at UFC 222.

Kunitskaya (10-4 MMA, 0-1 UFC) succumbed to a first-round TKO against Cyborg (20-1 MMA, 5-0 UFC) in Saturday’s headliner, which took place at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas and aired on pay-per-view following prelims on FS1 and UFC Fight Pass.

The fight marked Kunitskaya’s UFC debut and only came together because the UFC was in need of a replacement headliner when the originally planned bout between Max Holloway and Frankie Edgar fell apart. Although she got paid 10 times more than what she made in her most recent fight under the Invicta FC banner, Kunitskaya couldn’t overcome the strength and power of the Brazilian champion.

After the event, Kunitskaya admitted nerves might’ve gotten the best of her given the gravity of the situation and how fast it all came together.

“It was a weird experience,” Kunitskaya said during the UFC 222 post-event news conference. “I was so nervous, and I hope to come back as fast as I can.”

Although she lost in a convincing manner, Kunitskaya wasn’t without her moments. She got a takedown and found herself on Cyborg’s back early in the fight, but she couldn’t seriously threaten from her position. It’s more success than many Cyborg opponents have had, though, and Kunitskaya said much of her post-fight disappointment stemmed from her inability to take advantage.

“It’s why I’m so sad, because I feel I can control this fight at some points,” Kunitskaya said. “But what happened, everyone saw.”

Prior to UFC 222, Kunitskaya said she was very comfortable in the featherweight division, despite not having fought there since June 2012. Apparently a taste of Cyborg was enough to make her change her mind, because she now plans a return to bantamweight in her future.

“Yeah, I will come back to 135,” Kunitskaya said.

For complete coverage of UFC 222, check out the UFC Events section of the site.