CHICAGO – After a rather disappointing UFC debut, 21-year-old underdog Nikita Krylov rebounded impressively, shocking Walt Harris with a quick TKO win.
The heavyweight bout opened up the preliminary card of today’s UFC on FOX 10 event at United Center in Chicago. It streamed on UFC Fight Pass ahead of additional prelims on FOX Sports 1 and a main card on FOX.
While Harris enjoyed a 23-pound weight advantage, his 218-pound opponent’s speed proved problematic. The smaller Krylov pushed forward from the opening bell, chopping at the legs and refusing to allow Harris to get set. Then came a perfectly placed Brazilian kick, faking a front kick and then sneaking the right leg over Harris’ hand and connecting flush to the head. A staggered Harris retreated, and Krylov tagged him with a right hand, forcing “The Big Ticket” to the floor.
Krylov pushed in with a final flurry of punches, forcing referee Rob Madrigal to wave off the fight in just 25 seconds.
“We were really working hard to win this fight, so I was ready,” Krylov said through an interpreter after the win, which was the sixth-fastest knockout in the history of the UFC’s heavyweight division.
“Al Capone” Krylov (16-3 MMA, 1-1 UFC) earns his first octagon win with the impressive effort. Harris (5-3 MMA, 0-2 UFC), despite an imposing physical stature, remains winless in the promotion.
Up-to-the-minute UFC on FOX 10 results include:
- Nikita Krylov def. Walt Harris via TKO (head kick, punches) – Round 1, 0:25
For the latest on UFC on FOX 10, stay tuned to the UFC Events section of the site.
Matt Erickson contributed to this report on-site in Chicago.
