Kicking off the main card tomorrow night at UFC 314 is a matchup between two ranked light heavyweight contenders. Former title challenger Dominick Reyes (14-4) will look to keep the positive momentum going as he takes on the returning Nikita Krylov (30-9).
Starting with Krylov, this is his first fight since March of 2023. He was supposed to fight last November but the fight ultimately fell through. Krylov enters the octagon tomorrow night riding a three-fight win streak. The last time we saw him he submitted Ryan Spann in the first round and prior to that, he defeated Volkan Oezdemir by decision.
In February 2020, Dominick Reyes gave Jon Jones arguably his toughest challenge he’d ever faced at 205. Reyes won their fight in the eyes of many, but all three judges gave the fight to Jones. Jones went on to vacate the UFC light heavyweight title to move up to heavyweight and many assumed that Reyes would go on to become champion.
He fought Jan Blachowicz for the vacant title and was stopped in the second round. He was then stopped by Jiri Prochazka and then he was brutally knocked out by Ryan Spann. Three straight knockout losses had him questioning his fighting future. However, last June he returned after nearly two years away and stopped Dustin Jacoby in the first round. He then stopped Anthony Smith last December and now he’s one win away from being back in the top ten.
UFC 314 Prediction
This fight is tough to pick because it’s hard to forget the horrific stretch Dominick Reyes had and it’s also hard to ignore the fact that we haven’t seen Nikita Krylov in more than two years. I really do like Krylov’s overall game and his ability to mix in grappling with his striking.
However, I find myself leaning towards Dominick Reyes in this matchup. Say I’m being a victim of the moment, but I really believe he’s turned the page and discovered a new level of confidence. I think that confidence will carry itself into the octagon on Saturday and I think you’ll see him land some big shots on Krylov.
Ultimately, this is going to be a competitive matchup to begin the UFC 314 PPV card, but I like the activity from Reyes and I expect him to win a decision earning him his third victory in a row.
Prediction: Dominick Reyes by Decision