Light Heavyweight

Nikita Krylov

UFC 2013–present · rated in 6 editions · peak overall 82.0

Scouting report

Kyokushin karate kicks and opportunistic submission grappling make Nikita "The Miner" Krylov an aggressive finisher who rarely lets a bout reach the judges' scorecards. Born in Krasnyi Luch, Ukraine, Krylov scored victories over Alexander Gustafsson, Volkan Oezdemir, and Ryan Spann, reflected in a 75 Kickboxing score, 74 BJJ, and 78 Overall rating.

Peak ratings

Boxing84
Kickboxing84
Wrestling80
BJJ84
Strength84
Durability82
Cardio86
Fight IQ82

By edition

2014–2015Overall 78
Boxing82
Kickboxing82
Wrestling76
BJJ80
Strength82
Durability80
Cardio82
Fight IQ78

Upon moving to light heavyweight in 2014, Krylov authored a four-fight stoppage streak between 2014 and 2015, knocking out Cody Donovan in Dublin, finishing Stanislav Nedkov with a guillotine in Stockholm, and submitting Marcos Rogerio de Lima with a rear-naked choke in Saskatoon. His Kyokushin karate striking and submission opportunism are reflected in an 82 Boxing and 82 Kickboxing.

2016–2017Overall 79
Boxing83
Kickboxing83
Wrestling76
BJJ81
Strength83
Durability80
Cardio82
Fight IQ79

Krylov extended his stoppage streak to five in 2016, submitting Francimar Barroso with a rear-naked choke in Rotterdam and knocking out Ed Herman with a head kick at UFC 201 in Atlanta, before dropping a guillotine to Misha Cirkunov at UFC 206 in Toronto. His head kicks and finishing instinct justify his 83 Boxing and 83 Kickboxing.

2018–2019Overall 80
Boxing83
Kickboxing83
Wrestling78
BJJ82
Strength83
Durability80
Cardio84
Fight IQ80

Returning to the UFC in late 2018 after winning the FNG title, Krylov submitted Ovince Saint Preux with a rear-naked choke at UFC 236 in Atlanta, while dropping bouts to Jan Blachowicz and Glover Teixeira in Vancouver. His kickboxing combinations, scramble wrestling, and submission threat are captured in an 83 Boxing and 83 Kickboxing.

2020–2022Overall 80
Boxing83
Kickboxing83
Wrestling78
BJJ82
Strength83
Durability80
Cardio84
Fight IQ80

Between 2020 and 2021, Krylov defeated Johnny Walker by unanimous decision in Brasilia with top control, before dropping a decision to Magomed Ankalaev in Las Vegas. His grappling control, takedown persistence, and kickboxing fundamentals support his 83 Boxing and 78 Wrestling ratings.

2023–2024Overall 82
Boxing84
Kickboxing84
Wrestling80
BJJ84
Strength84
Durability82
Cardio86
Fight IQ82

Krylov put together a three-fight winning streak across 2022 and 2023, knocking out former title challenger Alexander Gustafsson in 67 seconds in London, outworking Volkan Oezdemir in Abu Dhabi, and submitting Ryan Spann with a triangle choke at UFC Fight Night 221 in Las Vegas. His finishing arsenal and wrestling transitions anchor his 84 Boxing and 80 Wrestling.

2025–presentOverall 82
Boxing84
Kickboxing84
Wrestling80
BJJ84
Strength84
Durability82
Cardio86
Fight IQ82

Draft Nikita Krylov into your build

Nikita Krylov enters the pool on any spin landing on light heavyweight between 2014 and present. Spin, draft eight attributes, then simulate 25 fights.

Ratings shown are our own, built from independent research and from how Nikita Krylov is regarded by the MMA community, with the EA Sports UFC games used only as a starting baseline for the scale. They are unofficial and do not constitute an assessment of Nikita Krylov's real-world abilities. See the disclaimer below.