Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
Nikita Krylov and Glover Teixeira faced each other in a Light Heavyweight clash today (Sat., Sept. 14, 2019) at UFC Fight Night 158 inside Rogers Arena in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, only on ESPN+. After a lot of back-and-forth grappling and some heavy punch exchanges, Teixeira’s hand was raised.
Krylov opened the bout with a front kick then scored with a body kick. Teixeira caught the next kick, running into his usual single leg dump finish to plant Krylov on his back. Teixeira’s face was cut, likely from a Krylov elbow from his back. Teixeira looked to advance into mount and wound up taking the back. Immediately, Teixeira began working to flatten his foe with hip pressure. Teixeira landed some heavy punches on his trapped foe. Somehow, Krylov managed to survive and reverse position! Immediately, Krylov stepped into mount. Teixeira exploded, resulting in a takedown attempt from the Brazilian along the fence. In the process, he exposed his neck to Krylov, who jumped on the rear naked choke and very nearly finished it. Teixeira maintained his composure, surviving the choke and getting back to his feet. Back in the center of the cage, Krylov returned to his kick-heavy attack. A right hand from Teixeira seemed to briefly stun the Ukranian. Another heavy overhand landed for the Brazilian before the bell.
Krylov began the second round with a couple kicks but ate a right hand. Teixeira attempted a takedown but was stuffed. Krylov’s jab began to land a bit. Kryov really dug into the inside of the leg. Teixiera landed big when Krylov threw a sloppy uppercut. Krylov landed a big knee after denying another takedown attempt. Left hook to the body partially landed for the Brazilian. Big right hand scored yet again for Teixeira. Teixiera slammed home a body kick too moments later. Good combo returned for Krylov, who stuffed a takedown soon after. From the clinch, Krylov dropped into a double leg takedown and landed it. The Ukranian athlete finished the round in top position.
Teixeira kept up the pressure in the third, drawing a double leg takedown from Krylov. The Brazilian countered with a guillotine choke that seemed real tight for a moment, but Krylov escape into top position. His control was brief, however, as Teixeira reversed him quickly. A scramble produced an armbar attempt from Teixeira, but it allowed Krylov to escape into a double leg attempt along the fence. Eventually, he was able to land the takedown, though he was once again forced to defend the guillotine choke. From half guard, Krylov landed a couple decent elbows. From his back, Teixeira swum into a deep half guard and successful swept his opponent in the final seconds of the fight.
For the first time in his long professional career, Nikita Kyrlov saw the judges’ scorecard after a pretty wild, impossible-to-score bout. The judges were split as well, but the victory was ultimately awarded to Teixeira, who landed the biggest punches of the fight.
Result: Glover Teixeira defeats Nikita Krylov via split-decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
For complete UFC Fight Night 158: “Gaethje vs. Cerrone” results and play-by-play, click HERE!