After a false start with the title last year, Kunitskaya beat Raquel Pa’aluhi by unanimous decision (50-45, 50-45, 50-45) to win the vacant Invicta women’s bantamweight title Thursday night in the main event of Invicta FC 25 at Tachi Palace Hotel & Casino in Lemoore, Calif.
Kunitskaya dominated most of the fight with Pa’aluhi with her strength and striking in the clinch, especially hard knees to the body. The Russian fighter blooded Pa’aluhi with an up kick in the first round and stymied the Hawaiian every time she shot in for a takedown. Pa’aluhi is an excellent ground fighter with good boxing, but Kunitskaya’s technique in every aspect, strength and guile gave her the edge from almost bell to bell.