MIAMI – Rizvan Kuniev’s second Eagle FC title defense went as smooth as possible.
The Eagle FC heavyweight champion dispatched former UFC fighter Anthony Hamilton in quick fashion in the co-main event of Friday’s Eagle FC 46. Kuniev (12-2-1) submitted Hamilton (18-11) at the 1:17 mark of Round 1.
The card took place at the FLX Arena on Friday night in Miami. The event was headlined by a super lightweight bout between former UFC fighters Kevin Lee and Diego Sanchez.
It was a smooth performance by the champion.
After an initial feeling-out process, Kuniev quickly opened up his offense, missing with a spinning back kick, but then landed a couple of good knees to the body. Hamilton left his next open after a knee, and shortly after, Kuniev locked in the standing guillotine choke. Hamilton was unable to get out and was forced to tap out.
WOW!
Rizvan Kuniev stops Anthony Hamilton in the first via standing guillotine!#EagleFC46: Lee vs. Sanchez | LIVE NOW on @EagleOnFLX | Sign up to watch LIVE and FREE at https://t.co/QslxaipV9R pic.twitter.com/C3G8F4HhmX
— Eagle FC (@EagleFightClub) March 12, 2022
With this result, Kuniev is now on a 10-fight winning streak that spans from 2017 to 2022. He last tasted defeat in 2015, coming up short in a decision loss to former UFC fighter Justin Willis. Kuniev had fought at Dana White’s Contender Series prior to his Eagle FC 46 title fight. He stopped Edivan Santos with ground-and-pound in the third round of their heavyweight contest.
On the other hand, Hamilton was unable to bounce back from his previous setback, as he was stopped in late 2021 at Eagle FC 40. Prior to these pair of defeats, Hamilton was on a three-fight winning streak, which marked the first three bouts following his UFC release in 2017.
