Nikita Krylov

Background

Krylov was born into a Russian family from Krasnyi Luch in Ukraine. He originally began training in Kyokushin Karate at the age of ten, as his father had been a successful competitor in the sport himself. Krylov made the transition into mixed martial arts in 2012.

Early career

Krylov made his debut on July 27, 2012, at West Fight 4 in Donetsk, Ukraine, defeating Alexander Umrikhin via TKO. He won eleven more fights in the next five months (10 submissions, 1 TKO), before losing via submission to Vladimir Mishchenko on December 29 at Oplot Challenge 22. After two quick wins in a Gladiators Fighting Challenge tournament in Donetsk on January 19, 2013, he rematched Mishchenko on March 8 at Oplot Challenge 40, and again being submitted by an arm-triangle choke. A month later, he defeated Gabriel Tampu by TKO at M-1 Challenge 38 in St. Petersburg, Russia.

Ultimate Fighting Championship

With a record of 15-2, Krylov made his UFC debut on August 31, 2013, at UFC 164 against Soa Palelei. He lost via third-round TKO in a lackluster fight that saw both fighters exhausted after the first round. Krylov blamed his fatigue on nervousness and a long trip from Donetsk to Milwaukee.

Krylov returned on January 25, 2014, in the opening bout of UFC on Fox 7, against Walt Harris. He scored a 25-second TKO victory via head kick and follow-up punches.

Following the win, Krylov told reporters he was considering dropping down to the light heavyweight division for his next bout.

For his first fight at light heavyweight, Krylov replaced Thiago Silva against Ovince Saint Preux on March 15, 2015, at UFC 171. He was choked unconscious in the first round by a Von Flue choke while attempting a guillotine.

Krylov faced Cody Donovan on July 19, 2014, at UFC Fight Night 46. He won the fight by TKO in the final seconds of the first round.

Next he fought Stanislav Nedkov on January 24, 2015, at UFC on Fox 14. He won the fight by submission due to a standing guillotine choke just over a minute into the first round.

Krylov was briefly linked to a bout with Marcos Rogério de Lima on June 20, 2015, at UFC Fight Night 69. However, the pairing was booked to take place a week later at UFC Fight Night 70. Subsequently, De Lima was removed from the card on June 19, after visa issues restricted his entry to the United States. The bout with De Lima was scheduled for a third time and took place on August 23, 2015 at UFC Fight Night 74. After surviving two guillotine attempts from de Lima, Krylov won the fight by submission due to a rear-naked choke halfway through the first round.

Krylov was briefly linked to a matchup with Jimi Manuwa on February 27, 2016, at UFC Fight Night 84. However, Manuwa was scratched from the contest with an undiclosed injury in late December and the bout cancelled.

Krylov faced Francimar Barroso on May 8, 2016, at UFC Fight Night 87. Krylov won the fight via submission in the second round.

Krylov faced Ed Herman on July 30, 2016, at UFC 201. After a dominating first round for Krylov, he won the fight by knockout due to a head kick 40 seconds into the second.

Krylov next faced Misha Cirkunov on December 10, 2016 at UFC 206. He lost the fight via submission in the first round.

Personal life

Krylov is enrolled at Donetsk Law Institute, and his heroes are Ilya Mate, Igor Vovchanchyn and Al Capone, after whom he is nicknamed and models his gimmick. Before his fight against Francimar Barroso, he changed his nickname from "Al Capone" to "The Miner" out of respect to his hometown (Donetsk), which consisted of many occupational miners.

Controversy

Krylov is of Russian ethnicity, and stated that if the Luhansk People's Republic ever received recognition, he would be the first in line for a passport. Ukrainian media has noted that even whilst training in Kiev, Krylov wore a uniform bearing the Russian flag, despite the dispute between the countries.

Mixed martial arts