Bushido FC women’s champion Yana “Foxy” Kunitskaya returns to action on February 11, 2012. The talented striker battles taekwondo and kickboxing champ Ekaterina Saraykina at Verdict Fighting Championship 1 in Moscow, Russia. Kunitskaya discussed the bout with MMARising.com today.

Kunitskaya has maintained an active schedule in both MMA and kickboxing dating back to her pro MMA debut in 2009. The 22-year-old has knocked out three straight opponents since her lone defeat last year. Saraykina makes her pro debut in the fight, but has considerable experience as an amateur.

Kunitskaya (5-1-0) has quickly become one of the top prospects in the 145-pound women’s division. Though she is of Lithuanian and Polish descent, Kunitskaya resided in Russia until moving to Lithuania full-time this month. Two of her past three wins have come in the country at Bushido Lithuania events, where she is the reigning Bushido FC women’s titleholder. To date, all five of Kunitskaya’s victories have ended by knockout or submission and she has developed an improved ground game to complement her strong striking skills. Last month, she stopped Arune Lauzeckaite in a brief Bushido title bout.

Saraykina (0-0-0) is a three-time Russian taekwondo champion and has also captured a European K-1 title in kickboxing. While she has not yet had a pro MMA fight, Saraykina is experienced as an amateur and could pose a tougher test for Kunitskaya than her record might suggest. Like many of Kunitskaya’s recent opponents, Saraykina will hold a size advantage as Kunitskaya moves up in weight for the fight.

Verdict Fighting Championship 1 is set for February 11, 2012 at the Arbat Cultural and Entertainment Center in Moscow, Russia. The bout between Kunitskaya and Saraykina was originally scheduled for five rounds, but will now be contested over three, five-minute rounds at 70kg (154 pounds). Kunitskaya will also compete this weekend in a K-1 rules match.

(Photo Credit: Sherdog.com)