Ultimate Fighting Championship
Cirkunov was expected to make his promotional debut against Sean O'Connell on August 23, 2015, at UFC Fight Night 74. [9] O'Connell withdrew from the bout due to injury and was replaced by Daniel Jolly. [10] Cirkunov defeated Jolly via first-round KO after achieving full mount and battering him when he turned his back. [11]
Cirkunov faced promotional newcomer Alex Nicholson on February 6, 2016, at UFC Fight Night 82. [12] Cirkunov submitted Alex Nicholson via a second-round neck crank, breaking both sides of his jaw in the process, after earlier breaking his nose. [13] At the post-fight press conference, he told reporters, "I’m just really happy with the performance and especially – not just the submission – but I was able to break his jaw. I’m impressed." [14]
Cirkunov next faced another promotional newcomer in Ion Cuțelaba on June 18, 2016, at UFC Fight Night 89. [15] He won the fight via submission in the third round. [16]
Cirkunov faced Nikita Krylov on December 10, 2016, at UFC 206. [17] He won the fight via submission in the first round. [18]
In March 2017, Cirkunov signed a new, six-fight deal with UFC and fought Volkan Oezdemir on May 28, 2017, at UFC Fight Night 109. [19] [20] He lost the fight via knockout in just 28 seconds of the very first round. [21]
Cirkunov was scheduled to face Glover Teixeira on October 28, 2017, at UFC Fight Night 119. [22] However, the pairing was delayed after a recent hand surgery for Teixeira was slow to heal and the bout eventually took place on December 16, 2017, at UFC on Fox 26. [23] Cirkunov lost the fight via TKO in the first round. [24]
Cirkunov faced Patrick Cummins on October 27, 2018, at UFC Fight Night 138. [25] He won the fight by submission in the first round via an arm triangle choke. [26]
Cirkunov was expected to face Ovince Saint Preux on March 2, 2019, at UFC 235. [27] However, on February 11, it was announced that Saint Preux suffered an injury and was pulled from the fight. [28] Cirkunov instead faced Johnny Walker. [29] He lost the fight via TKO in the first round. [30]
Cirkunov faced Jimmy Crute on September 14, 2019, at UFC Fight Night 158. [31] He won the back-and-forth fight via a Peruvian necktie submission in the first round. [32] The win also earned Cirkunov his first Performance of the Night bonus award. [33]
Cirkunov was expected to face Ryan Spann on December 19, 2020, at UFC Fight Night 183. [34] However, Cirkunov pulled out in early December due to an injury. [35] The fight was rescheduled to March 13, 2021, at UFC Fight Night 187. [36] Cirkunov lost the fight via technical knockout in round one. [37]
Cirkunov faced Krzysztof Jotko in a middleweight bout on October 2, 2021, at UFC Fight Night 193. [38] He lost the fight via split decision. [39]
Cirkunov was scheduled to face Makhmud Muradov on February 26, 2022, at UFC Fight Night 202. [40] However, Muradov pulled out in late January due to a hand injury [41] and he was replaced by Wellington Turman. [42] Cirkunov lost the fight via armbar in the second round. [43]
After two straight losses at Middleweight, Misha was scheduled to return to Light heavyweight against Shamil Gamzatov on August 6, 2022, at UFC on ESPN: Santos vs. Hill. [44] However, Gamzatov was unable to obtain a US visa and the bout was scrapped. [45]
Cirkunov faced Alonzo Menifield on October 15, 2022, at UFC Fight Night 212. [46] He lost the fight via knockout in round one. [47]
In late October 2022, it was reported that Cirkunov was released by the UFC. [48]
