Justine Kish

Svetlana Nasibulina (born 13 April 1988), known professionally by her ring name Justine Kish, is an American mixed martial artist that competes in the Flyweight division of Bellator MMA. A professional since 2010, she has also competed in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).[3][4]

Justine Kish
BornSvetlana Nasibulina
(1988-04-13) 13 April 1988
Leningrad, Russian SFSR, Soviet Union
NationalityAmerican
Height5 ft 5 in (165 cm)
Weight115 lb (52 kg; 8 st 3 lb)
DivisionFlyweight
Strawweight
Reach64.0 in (163 cm)
StanceSouthpaw
Fighting out ofLos Angeles, California
TeamBlack House MMA (before 2017, 2018–present)[1]
Gym-O (2017–2018)[1]
RankMuay Thai World Champion [2]
Black belt in Kenpo[2]
Years active2010–present
Professional boxing record
Total2
Wins2
Losses0
Kickboxing record
Total24
Wins22
Losses2
Mixed martial arts record
Total15
Wins9
By submission2
By decision7
Losses6
By submission1
By decision5
Other information
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog

As of August 16, 2023, she is #7 in the Bellator Women's Flyweight Rankings.[5]

Early life

Justine Kish was born in Leningrad, Soviet Union[6] in modern-day Russia and was adopted by an American couple.[7] She discovered Muay Thai as a teenager, while taking up fitness, which eventually led her to competitions.[8]

Muay Thai career

Kish competed in Muay Thai for 10 years, winning 18 matches and a World Muaythai Council championship belt in the process.[9][10]

Mixed martial arts career

Early career

Kish began her professional MMA career in 2010. She amassed an undefeated record of five wins and no losses, including a win over future The Ultimate Fighter housemate Randa Markos.

The Ultimate Fighter

In September 2013, it was announced that Kish was one of the fighters selected by the UFC to appear on The Ultimate Fighter: A Champion Will Be Crowned.[11][12]

Kish was the seventh pick by coach Anthony Pettis. She was expected to face Bec Rawlings in the preliminary round, but was forced out of the tournament due to a knee injury. This injury also prevented her from appearing on the finale of the show, but Kish made her debut with the promotion in 2015.[13]

Ultimate Fighting Championship

Kish made her official UFC debut against Nina Ansaroff on January 2, 2016, at UFC 195. She won the fight by unanimous decision.[14]

Kish next faced Ashley Yoder on December 9, 2016, at UFC Fight Night: Lewis vs. Abdurakhimov in a catchweight bout as Kish missed weight. She won the fight by unanimous decision.[15]

Kish faced Felice Herrig on June 25, 2017 at UFC Fight Night: Chiesa vs. Lee. She lost the bout via unanimous decision. Kish received media attention after losing control of her bowels during the fight and issuing a humorous response later.[16]

Kish faced Ji Yeon Kim on January 27, 2018, at UFC on Fox: Jacaré vs. Brunson 2.[17] She lost the fight via split decision.[18] 11 out of 14 media scores gave it to Kish.[19]

Kish returned after a two year hiatus and faced Lucie Pudilová on January 25, 2020, at UFC Fight Night 166.[20] She won the fight via unanimous decision.[21]

Kish faced Sabina Mazo on September 12, 2020, at UFC Fight Night 177.[22] She lost the fight via a rear-naked choke submission in round three.[23]

Kish faced Tracy Cortez on April 17, 2021, at UFC on ESPN 22.[24] At the weigh-ins, Cortez weighed in at 126.5 pounds, a half pound over the flyweight non-title fight limit. Her bout proceeded at a catchweight and she was fined 20% of her individual purse, which went to Kish.[25] Kish lost the close fight via a split decision.[26]

On April 30, it was revealed that Kish was no longer with the UFC.[27]

Bellator MMA

On January 6, 2022, it was announced that Kish had signed a multi-bout contract with Bellator MMA.[28]

Kish faced DeAnna Bennett on February 19, 2022 at Bellator 274.[29] She lost the bout via unanimous decision.[30]

Kish faced Ilima-Lei Macfarlane on April 23, 2022 at Bellator 279.[31] In an upset, she won the bout via unanimous decision.[32]

Kish rematched DeAnna Bennett on August 12, 2022 at Bellator 284.[33] At weigh ins, Kish came in at 128.4 lbs, 2.4 pounds over the weight limit, for the flyweight bout, resulting in her being a fined a percentage of her purse which went to Bennett and the bout proceeded at catchweight.[34] Kish lost the bout again via unanimous decision.[35]

Kish faced Diana Avsaragova on August 11, 2023, at Bellator 298.[36] At weigh-ins, Avsaragova weighed in at 127.2 pounds, 1.2 pounds over the Flyweight non-title limit. Due to this, the bout proceeded at catchweight and she was fined 20 percent of his purse, which went to Kish.[37] She won the fight via unanimous decision.[38]

Championships and accomplishments

Kickboxing

Kickboxing record
Kickboxing record
18 wins (9 KOs), 2 losses, 0 draws
Date Result OpponentEventLocation MethodRoundTimeRecord
2012-02-27WinGermany Farida OkikoBangla Stadium, ThailandUnanimous Decision3
Fought for the WMC World Middleweightweight (−58.8 kg/125 lb) Full Contact Championship.
Legend:   Win   Loss   Draw/No contest   Notes

Mixed martial arts record
Professional record breakdown
15 matches 9 wins 6 losses
By submission 2 1
By decision 7 5
Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Win 9–6 Diana Avsaragova Decision (unanimous) Bellator 298 August 11, 2023 3 5:00 Sioux Falls, South Dakota, United States Catchweight (127.2 lb) bout; Avsaragova missed weight.
Loss 8–6 DeAnna Bennett Decision (unanimous) Bellator 284 August 12, 2022 3 5:00 Sioux Falls, South Dakota, United States Catchweight (128.4 lb) bout; Kish missed weight.
Win 8–5 Ilima-Lei Macfarlane Decision (unanimous) Bellator 279 April 23, 2022 3 5:00 Honolulu, Hawaii, United States
Loss 7–5 DeAnna Bennett Decision (unanimous) Bellator 274 February 19, 2022 3 5:00 Uncasville, Connecticut, United States
Loss 7–4 Tracy Cortez Decision (split) UFC on ESPN: Whittaker vs. Gastelum April 17, 2021 3 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Catchweight (126.5 lb) bout; Cortez missed weight.
Loss 7–3 Sabina Mazo Submission (rear-naked choke) UFC Fight Night: Waterson vs. Hill September 12, 2020 3 3:57 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 7–2 Lucie Pudilová Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Blaydes vs. dos Santos January 25, 2020 3 5:00 Raleigh, North Carolina, United States
Loss 6–2 Ji Yeon Kim Decision (split) UFC on Fox: Jacaré vs. Brunson 2 January 27, 2018 3 5:00 Charlotte, North Carolina, United States Return to Flyweight.
Loss 6–1 Felice Herrig Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Chiesa vs. Lee June 25, 2017 3 5:00 Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States
Win 6–0 Ashley Yoder Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Lewis vs. Abdurakhimov December 9, 2016 3 5:00 Albany, New York, United States Catchweight (116.4 lb) bout; Kish missed weight.
Win 5–0 Nina Ansaroff Decision (unanimous) UFC 195 January 2, 2016 3 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 4–0 Randa Markos Decision (unanimous) RFA 12 January 24, 2014 3 5:00 Los Angeles, California, United States Strawweight debut.
Win 3–0 Jin Tang Decision (unanimous) Fusion Fighting Championship 5 December 18, 2013 3 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 2–0 Christine Stanley Submission (armbar) RFA 9 August 16, 2013 2 3:00 Los Angeles, California, United States Flyweight debut.
Win 1–0 Munah Holland Submission (triangle choke) Ring of Combat 33 December 3, 2010 2 2:53 Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States Catchweight (130 lb) bout.

See also

References
  1. E. Spencer Kyte (January 23, 2020). "Justine Kish Rebuilt". ufc.com.
  2. "Official Profile of TUF 20 fighter Justine Kish". UFC.com. Retrieved December 11, 2016.
  3. "Interview with RFA fighter Justine Kish". RFA. Retrieved 2014-09-16.
  4. "Meet the Strawweights - Justine Kish". UFC. Retrieved 2014-09-16.
  5. "Bellator Rankings". www.bellator.com. Archived from the original on 2021-06-16. Retrieved 2021-06-16.
  6. "Justine Kish | MMA » Muay Thai | Awakening Fighters". awakeningfighters.com. Retrieved 2021-11-14.
  7. Memrick, Amanda. "Martial arts champion adopted from Russia at age 5". Retrieved 23 September 2018.
  8. "Justine Kish". Awakening Fighters. Retrieved 2016-02-05.
  9. "Local martial arts world champion pursuing "opportunity of a lifetime"". Gaston Gazette. Retrieved 2014-09-16.
  10. "Justine Kish". Awakening Fighters. Retrieved 2014-09-16.
  11. "Cramerton's Kish one of 16 in reality show The Ultimate Fighter". Gaston Gazette. Retrieved 2014-09-16.
  12. "Meet the 'TUF 20' Cast". Sherdog. Retrieved 2014-09-16.
  13. "TUF 20 Finale to feature all cast members except Justine Kish". MMA Junkie. 2014-10-28. Retrieved 2014-10-30.
  14. "UFC 195 results: Justine Kish tops Nina Ansaroff for decision win in UFC debut". MMAjunkie. 2016-01-03. Retrieved 2017-08-14.
  15. "UFC Fight Night 102 results: Relentless Justine Kish pushes past Ashley Yoder". MMAjunkie. 2016-12-10. Retrieved 2017-08-14.
  16. Staff (2016-12-08). "UFC Fight Night 102 weigh-in results: Derrick Lewis (265.6), Shamil Abdurakhimov (253.8) official". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2016-12-08.
  17. "Kim Ji-yeon to face Justine Kish at UFC on FOX 27 | The Fight Nation". The Fight Nation. 2017-12-14. Retrieved 2017-12-15.
  18. "UFC on FOX 27 results: Ji Yeon Kim takes split decision from stunned Justine Kish". MMAjunkie. 2018-01-27. Retrieved 2018-01-28.
  19. "Ji YeonKim def. Justine Kish :: UFC on Fox 27 :: MMA Decisions". www.mmadecisions.com. Retrieved 2022-01-07.
  20. DNA, MMA. "Vier nieuwe partijen toegevoegd aan UFC Fight Night 166 evenement in Raleigh". Retrieved 2019-11-14.
  21. Anderson, Jay (2020-01-25). "UFC Raleigh Results: Justine Kish Makes Return After Two Years, Defeats Lucie Pudilova". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2020-01-26.
  22. Redactie (2020-08-20). "Sabina Mazo vs. Justine Kish added to UFC event on September 12". mmadna.nl (in Dutch). Retrieved 2020-08-20.
  23. Doherty, Dan (2020-09-12). "UFC Vegas 10 Results: Sabina Mazo Completes Comeback With Submission". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2020-09-12.
  24. DNA, MMA (2021-02-02). "Tracy Cortez vs. Justine Kish toegevoegd aan UFC evenement op 17 april". MMA DNA. Retrieved 2021-02-03.
  25. "UFC on ESPN 22 weigh-in results: Two fighters miss, one bout scrapped". MMA Junkie. 2021-04-16. Retrieved 2021-04-16.
  26. Thakur, Shivansh. "UFC Vegas 24: Tracy Cortez def Justine Kish via split decision » FirstSportz". Retrieved 2021-04-18.
  27. Alexander, Mookie (2021-05-12). "Oskar Piechota, Yorgan de Castro among nine fighters removed from UFC roster". Bloody Elbow. Retrieved 2021-05-13.
  28. "Seven-time UFC veteran Justine Kish signs multi-fight deal with Bellator". MMA Junkie. 2022-01-09. Retrieved 2022-01-09.
  29. "Bellator 274 adds DeAnna Bennett vs. Justine Kish after main card fight falls through". MMA Junkie. 2022-01-18. Retrieved 2022-01-18.
  30. Anderson, Jay (2022-02-19). "Bellator 274: DeAnna Bennett Spoils Debut of Justine Kish". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2022-02-20.
  31. "Bellator 278 & 279 to be held in Hawaii, headlined by return of Ilima-Lei Macfarlane, Cyborg title defense, and Bantamweight Grand Prix". KHON2. 2022-03-09. Retrieved 2022-03-09.
  32. Anderson, Jay (2022-04-24). "Bellator 279: Justine Kish Spoils Return of Ilima-Lei Macfarlane". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2022-04-24.
  33. Riggs, Drake (2022-06-16). "DeAnna Bennett and Justine Kish set to rematch at Bellator 284". MMAmania.com. Retrieved 2022-06-16.
  34. "Bellator 284 weigh-in results: Ilima-Lei Macfarlane, two others heavy; one fight canceled". MMA Junkie. 2022-08-11. Retrieved 2022-08-11.
  35. Sherdog.com. "Bellator 284 'Gracie vs. Yamauchi' Play-by-Play, Results & Round Scoring". Sherdog. Retrieved 2022-08-13.
  36. Anderson, Jay (2023-06-22). "Leandro Higo vs. Nikita Mikhailov, Diana Avsaragova vs. Justine Kish Among Fights Added to Bellator 298". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2023-06-22.
  37. "Bellator 298 weigh-ins results: One fighter misses mark in Sioux Falls". MMA Junkie. 2023-08-10. Retrieved 2023-08-11.
  38. Sherdog.com. "Bellator 298 'Storley vs. Ward' Play-by-Play, Results & Round Scoring". Sherdog. Retrieved 2023-08-15.
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