UFC fans were surprised when Nikita Krylov left the promotion last February. The young, exciting fighter had suffered a loss to Misha Cirkunov, but had won five bouts in a row before that and was primed to challenge the top guys in a thin division at some point. Instead, he ended up signing with Fight Nights Global and has plied his trade in Russia.
His first fight in the promotion was a 53-second submission win. His second fight came against Emanuel Newton, best known as a Bellator light heavyweight champion and the man that defeated King Mo Lawal twice.