One of the year’s most loaded cards features one of the promotion’s most lauded prospects, as undefeated light heavyweight Abdul-Rakhman Yakhyaev faces veteran Nikita Krylov at UFC 333: Volkanovski vs. Evloev in Abu Dhabi.
Krylov (31–12, 12–10 UFC) has lost three of his last four fights, all by knockout or TKO, most recently getting stopped by Robert Whittaker in the third round of their clash at UFC 329 in July. Yakhyaev (10–0, 3–0 UFC) is fresh off recording one of the quickest finishes in UFC history, needing only eight seconds to knock out Julius Walker in June.
Yakhyaev enters as an overwhelming -550 moneyline favorite on DraftKings Sportsbook. Krylov is a +410 underdog, with the fight total set at O/U 1.5 rounds.
Nikita Krylov vs. Abdul-Rakhman Yakhyaev Fight Preview
Nikita Krylov (#15)
- 31–12 (12–10 UFC)
- 13–4 (T)KO
- 16–6 SUB
The Octagon has not been kind to Nikita Krylov in recent years. Since returning to the cage in 2025, the 34-year-old Russian has gone just 1–3, with each loss coming by knockout or TKO. Of his 12 professional losses, 10 came inside the distance — seven in the first round. Although “The Miner” has a wealth of experience and can be effective in multiple facets of the fight game, he heads into Saturday night with compromised durability against an extremely dangerous rising prospect.
Abdul-Rakhman Yakhyaev
- 10–0 (3–0 UFC)
- 4–0 (T)KO
- 5–0 SUB
Abdul-Rakhman Yakhyaev has made it look easy since his August 2025 appearance on Dana White’s Contender Series. Including that outing, the Turkish 25-year-old is 4–0 with four finishes inside the Octagon. “The Hunter” isn’t one to play with his food, rocketing up the 205-pound ladder with explosive forward pressure; each of his last six wins came within the first round. Lethal on the feet and on the mat, Yakhyaev will use every weapon in his toolkit to bulldoze his way into the top 15.
Nikita Krylov vs. Abdul-Rakhman Yakhyaev Pick, Best Bet
Abdul-Rakhman Yakhyaev looks teed up to crack the division’s top 15 in style. The steamrolling prospect faces a fading veteran with serious durability concerns, giving him a clear runway to record another highlight-reel finish. As we’ve seen several times before, Yakhyaev’s next outing should be done in one.
