This is the UFC 329 live blog for Robert Whittaker vs. Nikita Krylov, the preliminary card light heavyweight bout Saturday at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
Whittaker is currently ranked No. 12 at 185 pounds in the MMA Fighting Global Rankings, but makes his 205-pound debut against No. 14-ranked light heavyweight Krylov.
It’s been a rough stretch for Whittaker (26-9), a former UFC middleweight champion. Whittaker has lost his past two fights, pushing him out of the contender circle, and looks for a fresh start at weight class two divisions higher than 170 pounds, which Whittaker made his UFC debut at almost 14 years ago. “The Reaper’s” most recent wins have come against Ikram Aliskerov, Paulo Costa, and Marvin Vettori.
Krylov (31-11) has proven to be a stalwart at light heavyweight, with a 9-7 UFC record in the division and a number usually next to his name. This past January, he snapped a two-fight skid with a third-round knockout of Modestas Bukauskas at UFC 324.
Check out the UFC 329 live blog for Robert Whittaker vs. Nikita Krylov below.
Round 1: Fight begins and Krylov opens with a right hand that misses. Whittaker lands a right, and then a left, and Krylov clinches against the fence. Whittaker separates and they’re back in the center of the cage. Krylov with a head kick — which Whittaker defends — and shoots for a takedown just to hold Whittaker against the fence once again. Whittaker tries to escape but loses balance, and now Krylov has him down and working on a choke for a brief moment. Whittaker tries to get back to his feet but Krylov is successful to keep him there for now. Fans boos as Krylov maintains Whittaker on the ground. Whittaker tries to get up again and manages to by escaping a bulldog choke attempt. Good jab by Whittaker. Fans chant in favor of Whittaker, who connects a good right hand but eats a body kick after. Another good right hand for Whittaker. And a jab! Krylov misses with an overhand right. Whittaker with another good jab, and Krylov fires back with a couple of low kicks. Whittaker with an overhand right but Krylov clinches and again traps him against the cage. Close round. MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9 Krylov.
Round 2: Krylov with a good low kick and Whittaker makes him pay with a right hand. Whittaker with a jab now. Krylov’s leg kicks working. Whittaker with a short left hand. Krylov with a head kick attempt that misses. Whittaker doubles up with the jab and a combo that land! Whittaker with more solid jabs now. They trade wildly now after Whittaker loses balance, and Whittaker hurts Krylov with a straight right! Whittaker doesn’t keep the pressure and Krylov is able to recover. Another solid right hand for Whittaker. Spinning kick attempt for Krylov that doesn’t land to the body. Another solid right for Whittaker, who checks the calf kick. A combo for Whittaker sends Krylov backwards. Nothing major, but a better round for Whittaker now. MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9 Whittaker (19-19).
Round 3: Whittaker lands a jab as Krylov throws a kick. Whittaker’s boxing too fast for Krylov now. Whittaker hurts Krylov with a right hand and Krylov simply gives up on his feet! Maybe he has a broken jaw? Whittaker by TKO!
Official result: Robert Whittaker def. Nikita Krylov via third-round TKO (1:01)
