Nikita Krylov

Nikita Andreyevich Krylov (born March 7, 1992) is a Russian mixed martial artist. He currently competes in the Light Heavyweight division in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). A professional since 2012, Krylov has also competed for M-1 Global. As of August 1, 2023, he is #6 in the UFC light heavyweight rankings. Background Krylov was born into a 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. Mixed martial arts career 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.