Nikita Krylov vs Alexander Gustafsson: Preview, Where to watch, and Betting odds

Two fighters needing to reignite their UFC career engage in a Light Heavyweight bout at UFC Fight Night: Blaydes vs Aspinall at the O2 Arena in London. Ukrainian Nikita Krylov on a two-match skid takes on Swedish Alexander Gustafsson. The Swede is fighting again after a two-year absence and three consecutive defeats. The matchup is billed on the main card.

Location: O2 Arena, London

Date: 23.07.2022; 21:00

Where to watch: ESPN+

30-year-old Nikita Krylov is a 6’ 3” Light Heavyweight with so much experience in MMA clocking 36 fights ranging from the UFC, regional promotions in Ukraine and Russia, the M-1 Global, and Fight Nights Global (FNG) where he claimed the Light Heavyweight championship in May 2018.

Krylov who is 11 in the UFC Light Heavyweight rankings first joined the promotion in 2013 with a losing debut against Soa Palelei in August 2013. After leaving for the FNG in 2017, the Ukrainian returned to UFC the following year in a bout against Jan Blachowizc. He lost his most recent fight against Paul Craig in March via triangle choke at UFC Fight Night 204. Krylov is an expert grappler.

• Age: 30
• Weight: 205 Ibs
• Height: 6’ 3”
• Reach: 77.5”
• Total fights: 36
• Record: 27-9-0

Alexander ‘The Mauler’ Gustafsson is a veteran of mixed martial arts. A fierce fighter, the Swede seems to be slowing down with age coming into this fight on a three-match losing skid. In 2019 after a loss to Anthony Smith at UFC Fight Night 153, Gustafson retired from the promotion. He returned in June 2020 at UFC on ESPN 14 with a loss to Fabricio Werdum in the heavyweight division. Having dropped out of the rankings, Gustafsson - a competent striker with 11 knockouts - will be hoping to win this matchup to get back into reckoning.

• Age: 35
• Weight: 205 Ibs
• Height: 6’ 4”
• Reach: 79”
• Total fights: 25
• Record: 27-7-0

The oddsmakers have installed Nikita Krylov as the favorite with a win for him priced at 1.528 odds on 22bet.

A win for Gustafsson is at 2.456 odds on 1xbet.

Nikita Krylov (W1) by submission is 4.2 odds on 1xbet.

Total Over 1.5 is priced at 1.53 odds on Bet365.