Nikita Krylov

Nikita Krylov, nicknamed "The Miner," is a Ukrainian-born mixed martial artist who competes in the light heavyweight division of the UFC.

Krylov was born in Krasnyi Luch, Ukraine, and began training in Kyokushin karate at age ten, following in the footsteps of his father, who competed in the sport. He carried that striking foundation into mixed martial arts, turning professional in 2012 and quickly developing into a well-rounded threat on the ground as well as on the feet.

Before signing with the UFC, Krylov built his credentials on the regional circuit, winning the Gladiators FC heavyweight tournament and later capturing the Fight Nights Global light heavyweight championship. He holds Master of Sports honors in hand-to-hand combat and submission fighting, along with a first-degree black belt in Kyokushin karate.

Inside the cage, Krylov is regarded as one of the division's most dangerous submission specialists, comfortable hunting for guillotine chokes, rear-naked chokes, and triangle chokes from any position, while retaining the power to end fights standing.

His UFC tenure, which began in 2013, has produced some of the light heavyweight division's most memorable finishes. He avenged an early setback by submitting Ovince Saint Preux in a rematch, then delivered one of the fastest knockouts in UFC history when he stopped Alexander Gustafsson in the opening minute of their bout, a performance that earned him a Performance of the Night bonus. He has also picked up notable decision and submission victories over Volkan Oezdemir and Ryan Spann, further cementing his standing among the division's established contenders.

Beyond the record book, Krylov has carved out an identity as one of MMA's most durable and unpredictable finishers, a fighter whose willingness to engage wherever the fight goes has made him a fan favorite and a perennial threat to anyone across the cage from him at 205 pounds.