Video: Nikita Krylov knocks out Fabio Maldonado, wins FNG light heavyweight title

UFC veteran Fabio Maldonado is known for having one of the best chins in the sport, but fellow ex-UFC fighter Nikita Krylov was able to crack it in dramatic fashion in Saturday’s Fight Nights Global 87 co-main event in Russia.

Maldonado entered the contest as FNG’s reigning light heavyweight champion, having submitted Kurban Omarov via guillotine choke last September. Krylov was coming off a huge KO of former Bellator champion Emanuel Newton, in what was Nikita’s third fight since leaving the UFC.

The fight almost ended shortly after it began, as Krylov punted Maldonado right in the groin just 12 seconds into the fight. Maldonado stayed down for several minutes, but this is Fabio Maldonado, so of course he was going to continue. Krylov dominated the rest of the round, throwing and landing more strikes on the feet, as well as hammering Maldonado with ground-and-pound from mount.

In round 2, Maldonado got his offense going, but suffered a flash knockdown off a kick and had a bloody face from the shots Krylov had landed throughout the bout. After Maldonado stuffed multiple takedowns against the fence, Krylov uncorked a hard right hand that felled Maldonado and sent him face-first to the canvas.

Watch the video below, courtesy of Jolassanda:

This is the first time that Maldonado has been knocked out since a short notice fight against Stipe Miocic back in 2014. For Krylov, he’s the new FNG 205 lbs champion, and he continues to impress in his post-UFC run.