Nikita Krylov
Vitals
The Read
Nikita Krylov is a long-tenured UFC light-heavyweight and one of the division's most prolific finishers — 29 of his 31 wins come by stoppage, split almost evenly between knockouts and submissions, with only two decisions on the entire ledger. Tall and rangy at 6'3", he is dangerous everywhere but defensively open.
A 21-fight UFC veteran since 2013, he owns wins over Alexander Gustafsson and Volkan Oezdemir and peaked around the divisional top five. He meets Robert Whittaker's light-heavyweight debut as the bigger, more experienced 205-pounder. Two knockout losses in 2025 (Reyes, Guskov) raised real questions about his chin, but he answered with a buzzer-beating stoppage of Modestas Bukauskas in January to enter on a win.
Next Fight
Record
Tap any fight for the breakdown.
Win
vs Modestas BukauskasTKO (punches) · R3 4:57
UFC 324
24 Jan 2026
24 Jan 2026
Krylov closed a competitive fight with a late third-round stoppage, snapping a two-fight skid with a near buzzer-beating finish.
Key moments
- A competitive striking fight through two rounds.
- Round-three pressure built to the finish.
- Stoppage with seconds left in the third.
- Ended a two-fight losing run.
Loss
vs Bogdan GuskovKO (punches) · R1 4:18
UFC Fight Night
26 Jul 2025
26 Jul 2025
Krylov was caught and finished in the first round, dropped in a pocket exchange and unable to recover.
Key moments
- A first-round pocket exchange.
- A dropping strike found the mark.
- Finished at 4:18 of round one.
- Part of a rough mid-2025 stretch.
Loss
vs Dominick ReyesKO (counter) · R1 2:24
UFC 314
12 Apr 2025
12 Apr 2025
Reyes landed a picture-perfect counter to become the first man to knock Krylov out cold, ending it inside the first round.
Key moments
- Reyes timed a clean counter.
- A flatline knockout in round one.
- The first time Krylov was finished by strikes.
- A highlight-reel finish for Reyes.
Win
vs Ryan SpannSubmission (triangle choke) · R1 3:38
UFC Fight Night
11 Mar 2023
11 Mar 2023
Krylov won a chaotic, scramble-heavy opening round with a tight triangle choke, capitalising on the grappling exchanges he thrives in.
Key moments
- Early scrambles set the tone.
- Locked up a triangle from his back.
- First-round tap.
- Vintage finishing instincts on display.
Win
vs Volkan OezdemirDecision (unanimous) · R3
UFC 280
22 Oct 2022
22 Oct 2022
One of just two decision wins on his record — Krylov out-grappled and out-pointed Volkan Oezdemir, using takedown control to sweep the cards.
Key moments
- Takedown control through three rounds.
- Positional dominance on the mat.
- A rare decision win for the finisher.
- Swept the scorecards.