Nikita Andreyevich Krylov (born March 7, 1992) is a Ukrainian mixed martial artist who competes in the light heavyweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship. A professional since 2012, he has also competed for M-1 Global. As of January 24, 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. Ultimate Fighting Championship With a record of 15–2, Krylov was signed by the UFC and made his 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