UFC Fight Night: Whittaker vs. de Ridder - Light Heavyweight Pick: Bogdan Guskov vs. Nikita Krylov

Another exciting matchup at UFC Fight Night: Whittaker vs. de Ridder on July 26, 2025, in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, features a light heavyweight showdown between Nikita "The Miner" Krylov and Bogdan "Czarevitch" Guskov.

 

Fighter Backgrounds

Nikita Krylov

Nikita "The Miner" Krylov (30-10-0) is a 33-year-old Russian fighter known for his aggressive, high-paced style, often resulting in finishes. He boasts an impressive 16 submission wins and 12 KO/TKO victories in his career. Krylov is coming off a first-round KO loss to Dominick Reyes in April 2025, a rare stoppage loss for him. Prior to that, he had a good run with a submission win over Ryan Spann and decision victories over Volkan Oezdemir and Alexander Gustafsson.

Bogdan Guskov

Bogdan "Czarevitch" Guskov (17-3-0) is a 32-year-old Uzbekistani fighter with a heavy emphasis on striking power, evidenced by his 14 KO/TKO wins. He has shown significant improvements in his UFC tenure, currently riding a three-fight winning streak. His recent victories include a submission over Billy Elekana (Jan 2025) and back-to-back KO/TKO wins over Ryan Spann (Apr 2024) and Zac Pauga (Feb 2024). His only UFC loss came via submission to Volkan Oezdemir in his debut in September 2023.

Fighting Styles and Strengths

Nikita Krylov

• Finishing Ability: Highly opportunistic with a high finish rate, capable of ending fights with both strikes and submissions.
• Aggressive Pace: Pushes a relentless pace, often looking for quick finishes in the early rounds.
• Submission Grappling: Dangerous on the ground with a wide array of submission attacks.
• Durability: Has generally shown a good chin, although he was recently TKO'd by Reyes.

Bogdan Guskov

• Devastating Striking Power: Possesses fight-ending power in his hands, with a high percentage of knockout victories.
• Fast Starter: Often comes out quickly, looking for the early finish.
• Improved Grappling Defense: Has shown improvements in defending against submissions in his recent fights.
• Unorthodox Striking: His unconventional striking style, including keeping his hands low, can make him unpredictable.

Recent Performances

Nikita Krylov

Krylov's last outing against Dominick Reyes resulted in a quick knockout loss, which is a concern, especially against another powerful striker. Before that, he was on a decent run, showcasing his versatility with both submissions and decision wins against established light heavyweights. His willingness to engage in wild exchanges can be his greatest strength and his biggest weakness.

Bogdan Guskov

Guskov has been on a tear since his UFC debut loss, rattling off three consecutive finishes. His knockout wins over Ryan Spann and Zac Pauga highlighted his devastating power and ability to capitalize on openings. The submission win over Billy Elekana also demonstrated that he's a more complete fighter than previously thought, especially considering his grappling was seen as a weakness in his debut loss to Oezdemir.

Odds and Betting Information

Fighter	Odds
Nikita Krylov	-190
Bogdan Guskov	+160

Nikita Krylov is the favorite at -190, while Bogdan Guskov is the underdog at +160.

Keys to Victory

Nikita Krylov

• Early Grappling: Utilize his wrestling and submission skills early to neutralize Guskov's striking power and potentially secure a quick finish.
• Control the Pace: Force Guskov to work defensively and drain his explosive power by pushing a high pace in exchanges or grappling.
• Avoid Wild Exchanges: Be disciplined in striking and avoid getting drawn into a slugfest where Guskov's power could be decisive.
• Cardio: Leverage his strong gas tank if the fight goes into the later rounds.

Bogdan Guskov

• Land the Power Shot: His primary goal should be to connect with his heavy hands and capitalize on Krylov's willingness to engage in striking.
• Explosive Start: Come out with aggression and look for an early finish, as Krylov can be vulnerable in the initial exchanges.
• Takedown Defense: Showcase his improved grappling defense to keep the fight standing and in his preferred striking range.
• Patience for Openings: While aggressive, Guskov should also look for clean openings rather than rushing wildly against a dangerous counter-fighter like Krylov.

 

Prediction

Betting on MMA carries inherent risks. This analysis is for informational purposes only and does not guarantee outcomes. Please bet responsibly. Odds are subject to change.