Dominick Reyes emphatically silenced his critics with a breathtaking knockout victory, putting Nikita Krylov to sleep in their opening main card bout at UFC 314.
After enduring a challenging period with consecutive losses, the former two-time title contender has now secured three consecutive finishes, with this latest win potentially being his most impressive. Krylov aggressively attacked from the start, but Reyes remained composed, stunning the Russian fighter with a sharp jab early in the fight.
In a near repeat scenario, Krylov advanced again, but this time Reyes expertly stepped back and unleashed a devastating left hand that landed perfectly. Krylov collapsed to the mat, instantly unconscious from the powerful blow, as Reyes commenced his celebration. The fight concluded at 2:24 of the first round.
“I’m not back, I’m better than before,” Reyes declared. “Fighting Nikita Krylov is a serious challenge. He’s a formidable competitor, one of the toughest matchups in the division, and I overcame it. I`m still a force in this sport. I`m aiming for the top 10 now, and one more win could lead to a title shot, let`s go!”
The fight unfolded in two critical sequences with similar outcomes. Krylov initiated a relentless attack from the opening bell, while Reyes skillfully played the matador. The initial right-hand jab staggered Krylov, but he managed to recover without sustaining further damage.
Undeterred, Krylov persisted with the same strategy, but it spectacularly backfired the second time. As he moved forward, Reyes unleashed the fight-ending straight left. This knockout marks Reyes’ third consecutive victory, all via stoppages, firmly placing him back into contention in the 205-pound division.
The future remains uncertain, but Reyes has definitively re-established himself in the rankings, harboring hopes for another title run in the foreseeable future.
