Fight Nights Global release Nikita Krylov to negotiate potential UFC Moscow return

According to the promotion’s president, Kamil Gadzhiev, Fight Nights Global has released surging Ukrainian Nikita Krylov with a view to him making his return to the Octagon at UFC Moscow in September.

MMA Team Dagestan first reported news of Krylov possibly fighting on the UFC’s inaugural Russian card via Twitter on Friday.

In a comment released to MMA Fighting, the Fight Nights Global boss claimed that because Krylov’s contract was up in August, the promotion did not want to prevent him from entering negotiations with the UFC and have released him from his contract.

“Krylov’s contract is up in August and the UFC is coming to Russia on September 15^th,” stated Gadzhiev in a comment that was translated for MMA Fighting.

“As a result of that, [Krylov’s] management contacted Fight Nights Global and asked for a release so they could negotiate a deal for him for September. As his contract was up in August, Fight Nights Global did not want to prevent Krylov from fighting in the UFC in Russia, so he has been released to allow him to negotiate.”

Gadzhiev claims that he would be happy to re-sign Krylov if he doesn’t reach an agreement with the UFC.

“If Krylov doesn’t reach an agreement with the UFC, Fight Nights Global would be more than happy to re-sign him for another term,” he said.

Krylov (25-5) has recorded four consecutive victories since he chose to leave the UFC following a loss to Misha Cirkunov at UFC 206. Most recently he scored a knockout win over fellow UFC veteran Fabio Maldonado to claim the Fight Nights Global light heavyweight title.

The 25-year-old clocked up a 6-3 record in his first UFC tenure with his only defeats coming to Cirkunov, Ovince Saint Preux and Soa Palelei. In his sophomore trip to the Octagon, he scored a notable win over heavyweight, Walt Harris.