UFC 333: Volkanovski vs. Evloev continues on the prelims with a fight between Nikita Krylov and Abdul-Rakhman Yakhyaev in the light heavyweight division. Check out our UFC 333 odds series for our Krylov-Yakhyaev prediction and pick.
Nikita Krylov (31-12) was stopped in the third round by Robert Whittaker at UFC 329 on July 11, suffering a fractured jaw. He is 1-3 in his last four, with a January decision win over Modestas Bukauskas, as he comes into his fight this weekend against Abdul-Rakhman Yakhyaev.
Abdul-Rakhman Yakhyaev (10-0) knocked out Julius Walker in eight seconds on June 27. That followed a first-round rear-naked choke of Brendson Ribeiro in April. He has finished all three UFC opponents in the opening round, as he comes into his fight this weekend against Nikita Krylov.
UFC 333 Odds, courtesy of DraftKings
UFC 333 Odds: Nikita Krylov-Abdul-Rakhman Yakhyaev Odds
Nikita Krylov: +425
Abdul-Rakhman Yakhyaev: -575
Over 1.5 rounds: +210
Under 1.5 rounds: -280
Watch sports LIVE with fuboTV (free trial)Why Nikita Krylov Will Win
Nikita Krylov brings forty-three professional fights of high-level experience into the cage against a twenty-five-year-old prospect who has never been pushed past the first round in the UFC. Throughout his career, the veteran has thrived in chaotic scrambles, utilizing unorthodox kicking angles, heavy clinch knees, and opportunistic submissions.
While Abdul-Rakhman Yakhyaev has looked like an unstoppable force so far, his three Octagon bouts against Rafael Cerqueira, Brendson Ribeiro, and Julius Walker lasted a combined total of less than four minutes. We have yet to see how the young contender's gas tank holds up when a veteran refuses to fold early and drags him into deep waters.
Krylov is a relentless offensive fighter who does not mind trading in the pocket or initiating grappling exchanges to test an opponent's conditioning. If he can weather the opening three minutes, tie Yakhyaev up in the clinch, and force exhausting scrambles along the fence, the dynamic of the bout changes completely.
Once the prospect's initial explosiveness fades in the second and third rounds, Krylov's veteran savvy and high-volume output will shine. He will drag Yakhyaev into a war of attrition and secure a late stoppage or decision.
Why Abdul-Rakhman Yakhyaev Will Win
Abdul-Rakhman Yakhyaev is the most terrifying young prospect in the light heavyweight division, boasting a perfect ten-fight unbeaten record with every UFC victory coming in the opening round. Whether he is flattening Julius Walker in eight seconds or effortlessly submitting opponents on the mat, his blend of speed, power, and grappling is elite.
He faces a thirty-four-year-old Nikita Krylov who is returning just three months after suffering a third-round stoppage and a fractured jaw against Robert Whittaker. That quick turnaround after severe facial trauma and a 1-3 stretch in his last four outings raises massive red flags regarding Krylov's current durability.
Krylov's aggressive, wide-open fighting style is tailor-made for a sharp, explosive finisher like Yakhyaev to exploit early. If Krylov blitzes recklessly on the feet, Yakhyaev has the sixty-seven percent striking accuracy and devastating counter power to put him down immediately.
Article Continues BelowFurthermore, if the bout hits the canvas, Yakhyaev's suffocating top control and rear-naked choke threat will overwhelm a fighter who has been submitted six times in his career. Yakhyaev will hurt Krylov in the opening exchanges and secure another first-round finish.
Final Nikita Krylov-Abdul-Rakhman Yakhyaev Prediction & Pick
This light heavyweight preliminary bout features a classic crossroads matchup between surging, undefeated twenty-five-year-old finisher Abdul-Rakhman Yakhyaev and battle-tested veteran Nikita Krylov. Krylov is undoubtedly the most accomplished opponent Yakhyaev has faced to date, but the timing of this booking heavily favors the rising star.
Returning just fifteen weeks after suffering a fractured jaw and a stoppage loss at UFC 329 is a massive gamble for Krylov against a man who just scored an eight-second knockout in June. Krylov only knows how to fight moving forward, which will force immediate, high-velocity exchanges in the center of the cage.
Yakhyaev possesses a decisive advantage in hand speed, athleticism, and fresh durability at this stage of their respective careers. When Krylov steps in with a wide combination or attempts to initiate a clinch, Yakhyaev will beat him to the punch with laser-accurate counters.
Once Krylov is stunned, Yakhyaev's killer instinct on the mat is unmatched, either finishing with ground strikes or snatching the neck. The pick is Yakhyaev by first-round TKO.
Final Nikita Krylov-Abdul-Rakhman Yakhyaev Prediction & Pick: Abdul-Rakhman Yakhyaev (-575), UNDER 1.5 Rounds (-280)