UFC 333: Nikita Krylov vs Abdul-Rakhman Yakhyaev Preview & Prediction
by Owen Liao ·
A clash of different eras at light heavyweight, as unbeaten 25-year-old finisher Abdul-Rakhman Yakhyaev takes on the veteran Nikita Krylov, who’s coming off a stoppage loss to Robert Whittaker.
Nikita Krylov vs Abdul-Rakhman Yakhyaev facts
What time are Nikita Krylov and Abdul-Rakhman Yakhyaev expected to walk out?
Where is UFC 333: Volkanovski vs Evloev? Etihad Arena, Abu Dhabi, UAE
Where can I get tickets for UFC 333: Volkanovski vs Evloev? Click here for the latest ticket information for UFC 333
What TV channel is UFC 333: Volkanovski vs Evloev on? UK – TNT Sports / USA – Paramount
Where can I stream UFC 333: Volkanovski vs Evloev? UK – TNT Sports can stream the event online via the TNT Sports website and HBO Max / USA – Paramount+ & UFC Fight Pass
UFC 333: Volkanovski vs Evloev main card
Alexander Volkanovski vs Movsar Evloev (Featherweight)
Petr Yan vs Merab Dvalishvili (Bantamweight)
Lone’er Kavanagh vs Ramazan Temirov (Flyweight)
Alexander Volkov vs Rizvan Kuniev (Heavyweight)
Aaron Pico vs Losene Keita (Featherweight)
UFC 333: Volkanovski vs Evloev prelims
Azamat Murzakanov vs Dominick Reyes (Light Heavyweight)
Nikita Krylov vs Abdul-Rakhman Yakhyaev (Light Heavyweight)
Abusupiyan Magomedov vs Cameron Rowston (Middleweight)
Grant Dawson vs Nurullo Aliev (Lightweight)
Colby Thicknesse vs Asaf Chopurov (Bantamweight)
Abubakar Vagaev vs Jacob Malkoun (Middleweight)
Bolaji Oki vs Daniel Santos (Lightweight)
Kody Steele vs Noah Gugnon (Lightweight)
Iasmin Lucindo vs Nicolle Caliari (Women’s Strawweight)
Nikita Krylov: Dangerous vet whose chin has started to crack
Nikita Krylov (31-12) arrives off a third-round stoppage loss to Robert Whittaker at UFC 329. The former middleweight champion outpaced him on the feet before a right hand cracked his jaw and ended the fight. It’s the third time he’s been stopped in his last four outings. He lost to Dominick Reyes and Bogdan Guskov before a late knockout of Modestas Bukauskas briefly stopped the rot. Krylov throws thudding, heavy shots rather than sharp power and keeps a decently high output with his kickboxing, but he’s very hittable when he blitzes into range. He’s most dangerous in the scrambles. He capitalises on opponents’ mistakes, and his submissions are lethal.
Abdul-Rakhman Yakhyaev: “The Hunter” looks to put another victim onto his plate
Abdul-Rakhman Yakhyaev (10-0) has been a wrecking ball since earning his contract on the Contender Series. His three UFC wins have taken a combined 3 minutes 33 seconds. He submitted Rafael Cerqueira and Brendson Ribeiro, then flattened Julius Walker in eight seconds at UFC Baku, the second-fastest knockout in UFC light heavyweight history. The former Ares FC champion has finished nine of his ten pro wins, all but one in the first round. He’s physical, sharp and powerful on the feet, and excellent at catching opponents on the way in. He also has the composure to shoot a takedown even after eating a big shot. At just 25, he’s still filling out his frame.
Nikita Krylov vs Abdul-Rakhman Yakhyaev prediction
Krylov has the experience edge, having fought at or near the top of the light heavyweight division for over a decade. But his chin looks to be on the way out. Whittaker, a career middleweight making his debut at 205, picked him apart with hand speed and straight punches before finishing him. That says a lot about where Krylov’s durability is now. That’s a terrible sign heading into a fight with Yakhyaev. It’ll take someone with a good chin and sharp counter striking to pose the prospect real problems, and Krylov has neither. Worse still, Krylov’s habit of blitzing into range throwing punches plays straight into Yakhyaev’s ability to catch opponents on the way in. Even when he has been tagged, Yakhyaev keeps his composure. He ate a clean head kick against Ribeiro, immediately drove him to the mat and choked him out.
Krylov’s best chance is in the scrambles. If Yakhyaev shoots carelessly early, the veteran’s submission game could make him pay, and if Krylov drags this into the later rounds, Yakhyaev’s cardio may finally get tested. But the 25-year-old has gone five rounds before, in the only decision of his career, and his gas tank mostly held up. I just don’t see it getting that far.
Krylov is too hittable, and Yakhyaev is too dangerous early. Expect the Hunter to make another quick statement. This pick is a lock.
Prediction: Abdul-Rakhman Yakhyaev to win by KO/TKO in round one
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Nikita Krylov vs Abdul-Rakhman Yakhyaev (UFC 333)
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