Nikita Krylov
The Miner
Ukraine
Durability issues remain
Krylov lost to Robert Whittaker via TKO (injury) at 1:01 of Round 3 at UFC 329 on Saturday in Las Vegas.
ANALYSIS
The "injury" appeared to be a broken jaw from getting cracked in the face repeatedly. Krylov attempted to use his size in the early going, trying to lean on Whittaker, who was moving up from middleweight. It was a good idea, but it didn't last. Once the two men moved back to the center of the octagon, Krylov was picked apart on the feet over and over. He simply couldn't match the speed of his faster opponent. Krylov has had a strange career. He's had two stints with the company and began by fighting at heavyweight. Krylov is plenty serviceable, but his durability has faded of late, as he's 1-3 in his past four fights dating back to April 2025 with all three of those setbacks coming via knockout.
The "injury" appeared to be a broken jaw from getting cracked in the face repeatedly. Krylov attempted to use his size in the early going, trying to lean on Whittaker, who was moving up from middleweight. It was a good idea, but it didn't last. Once the two men moved back to the center of the octagon, Krylov was picked apart on the feet over and over. He simply couldn't match the speed of his faster opponent. Krylov has had a strange career. He's had two stints with the company and began by fighting at heavyweight. Krylov is plenty serviceable, but his durability has faded of late, as he's 1-3 in his past four fights dating back to April 2025 with all three of those setbacks coming via knockout.
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Will face Whittaker
Krylov will face Robert Whittaker in a light heavyweight bout at UFC 329 on July 11, Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl reports.
ANALYSIS
Krylov is coming off a win over Modestas Bukauskas via KO in his most recent fight in January this year, and that victory snapped a brief losing skid. Still, don't be surprised if Krylov is seen as the underdog here. The 34-year-old veteran has been inconsistent at the UFC level, and he'll get a chance to show what he's made of when facing a tough rival in Whittaker, another veteran with plenty of experience in the UFC ranks.
Krylov is coming off a win over Modestas Bukauskas via KO in his most recent fight in January this year, and that victory snapped a brief losing skid. Still, don't be surprised if Krylov is seen as the underdog here. The 34-year-old veteran has been inconsistent at the UFC level, and he'll get a chance to show what he's made of when facing a tough rival in Whittaker, another veteran with plenty of experience in the UFC ranks.
Snaps brief losing streak
Krylov defeated Modestas Bukauskas via KO (punches) at 4:57 of Round 3 at UFC 324 on Saturday in Las Vegas.
ANALYSIS
Krylov entered having suffered back-to-back first-round defeats and could have conceivably been fighting for his job here. He by no means dominated Bukauskas, though he was on his way to a guaranteed decision victory had the late stoppage not emerged. Bukauskas didn't land many clean power shots, but Krylov's chin held up when challenged, which was by far the biggest concern entering the evening. The finish came when Krylov landed a left jab followed by a right hook. The Ukrainian will be 34 years old in March and has been wildly inconsistent throughout two stints with the company, so it's imperative Krylov put forth another strong effort his next time out.
Krylov entered having suffered back-to-back first-round defeats and could have conceivably been fighting for his job here. He by no means dominated Bukauskas, though he was on his way to a guaranteed decision victory had the late stoppage not emerged. Bukauskas didn't land many clean power shots, but Krylov's chin held up when challenged, which was by far the biggest concern entering the evening. The finish came when Krylov landed a left jab followed by a right hook. The Ukrainian will be 34 years old in March and has been wildly inconsistent throughout two stints with the company, so it's imperative Krylov put forth another strong effort his next time out.
Bukauskas up next
Krylov will fight Modestas Bukauskas at UFC 324 on Jan. 24, Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl reports.
ANALYSIS
Krylov lost both of his fights in 2025, and he'll be attempting to avoid falling into a three-fight losing streak in January. That may be easier said than done, however, as his opponent has won each of his last four bouts.
Krylov lost both of his fights in 2025, and he'll be attempting to avoid falling into a three-fight losing streak in January. That may be easier said than done, however, as his opponent has won each of his last four bouts.
Durability issues remain
Krylov lost to Bogdan Guskov via KO (punches) at 4:18 of Round 1 at UFC Fight Night on Saturday in Abu Dhabi.
ANALYSIS
Now 33 years of age and with north of 40 fights on his professional resume, Krylov can't be putting forth performances such as this one as a -195 favorite. He and Guskov fought to even terms of the feet for about four minutes, at which point Krylov ate a huge right hand and crumbled on the spot. He tried to recover, but was done for good after a handful of follow-up shots. Nikita returned in April after more than two years on the sidelines and was knocked out by Dominick Reyes in just over two minutes. If these durability issues are here to stay, Krylov has zero chance of making an impact moving forward, even in a thin light heavyweight division.
Now 33 years of age and with north of 40 fights on his professional resume, Krylov can't be putting forth performances such as this one as a -195 favorite. He and Guskov fought to even terms of the feet for about four minutes, at which point Krylov ate a huge right hand and crumbled on the spot. He tried to recover, but was done for good after a handful of follow-up shots. Nikita returned in April after more than two years on the sidelines and was knocked out by Dominick Reyes in just over two minutes. If these durability issues are here to stay, Krylov has zero chance of making an impact moving forward, even in a thin light heavyweight division.
Guskov up next
Krylov is scheduled to compete against Bodgan Guskov in a light heavyweight fight at UFC Abu Dhabi on July 26, per Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl.
ANALYSIS
Barely a month after Krylov suffered a knockout at the hands of Dominick Reyes, the former will try to bounce back quickly by defeating Guskov. Before the Reyes fight, Krylov's last fight and win were in 2023, so he does not have blistering momentum in the eyes of the UFC brass. On the contrary, Guskov is fighting off three consecutive stoppage wins.
Barely a month after Krylov suffered a knockout at the hands of Dominick Reyes, the former will try to bounce back quickly by defeating Guskov. Before the Reyes fight, Krylov's last fight and win were in 2023, so he does not have blistering momentum in the eyes of the UFC brass. On the contrary, Guskov is fighting off three consecutive stoppage wins.