Mar 11, 2023; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Nikita Krylov (red gloves) reacts to defeating Ryan Spann (blue gloves) during UFC Fight Night at Virgin Hotel. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

ufc-predictions

Nikita Krylov vs Bogdan Guskov Preview, Predictions And MMA Betting Odds

Get to know the betting odds, predictions and picks for the upcoming Nikita Krylov vs Bogdan Guskov fight at UFC Abu Dhabi!

Mar 11, 2023; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Nikita Krylov (red gloves) reacts to defeating Ryan Spann (blue gloves) during UFC Fight Night at Virgin Hotel. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

The UFC Abu Dhabi main card kicks off with fireworks as two hard hitting light heavyweights prepare to throw down. Nikita Krylov and Bogdan Guskov represent everything fans love about the 205 pound division: power, aggression, and the constant threat of a fight ending moment. Both men have built their careers on walking forward and trading leather, making this opening bout a potential show stealer that could overshadow the main event.

This matchup perfectly embodies the old school MMA spirit where technical prowess takes a backseat to pure violence. Krylov, the grizzled veteran from Russia, has been through wars with some of the division’s biggest names. Meanwhile, Guskov from Uzbekistan has been quietly building momentum with a string of impressive finishes. When two fighters who specialize in ending fights meet, something’s got to give, and give quickly!

Nikita Krylov vs Bogdan Guskov Preview

Nikita ‘The Miner’ Krylov brings close to two decades of life experience and a 30-10 record into this contest. Standing 6’3″ with a 77 inch reach, the 33 year-old orthodox striker has been a UFC fixture since 2013. His stats tell the story of a volume striker who lands 4.33 significant strikes per minute with 54% accuracy. What makes Krylov dangerous is his willingness to absorb punishment to dish out his own, averaging just 2.49 strikes absorbed per minute thanks to his aggressive forward pressure.

Bogdan ‘Czarevitch’ Guskov enters with a 17-3 record. Also standing 6’3″ but with a slightly shorter 76 inch reach, Guskov matches Krylov’s physical dimensions while bringing his own brand of violence. His striking numbers show efficiency over volume: 3.96 strikes landed per minute with impressive 55% accuracy. The concerning stat is his 3.22 strikes absorbed per minute, indicating he takes more damage than his opponent.

The wrestling numbers reveal an interesting dynamic. Krylov averages 2.24 takedowns per fight with 38% accuracy, while Guskov has never attempted a takedown in the UFC. However, Guskov’s 57% takedown defense edges out Krylov’s 53%, suggesting he can keep this fight standing where both men prefer it.

Nikita Krylov vs Bogdan Guskov MMA Betting Odds

Fanduel has installed Nikita Krylov as a -198 favorite. Meanwhile, Bogdan Guskov sits as a +164 underdog. These odds seem surprisingly wide given both fighters’ similar styles and recent form.

FanDuel

High total bonus ceiling

Daily second-chance bet protection

No promo code required

$150

Welcome offer

Bet $5 & Get $150 in Bonus Bets

Click to reveal code

COPIED

F A N D U V I P

Claim now

New customers only. Must be 21+ in most jurisdictions, but 18+ in DC, KY, and WY. Offer is valid only in eligible regulated states/jurisdictions and not available in AR; void where prohibited. First online real-money wager only; cashed-out or bonus-funded bets are excluded.

The odds for the fight going the distance have also come out. The probability of the fight ending before the final bell is higher and the odds (-700) reflect that. The odds for the fight seeing the judges scorecards stand at +430.

Nikita Krylov vs Bogdan Guskov Predictions And Picks

This fight screams early finish regardless of who wins. Both men possess legitimate knockout power and questionable defensive habits that leave them vulnerable to counters. Krylov’s experience advantage is real, but that recent knockout loss to Reyes raises questions about his chin’s durability.

Guskov’s momentum and slightly fresher wheels make him an attractive underdog. His three fight finishing streak shows he’s peaking at the right time, while Krylov might be showing signs of decline after absorbing years of damage.

If we bet on the fight, we are going against the grain and betting on Bogdan Guskov to win the fight via KO/TKO.

(Image Credit: Ron Chenoy – Imagn Images)

Bogdan Guskov

Nikita Krylov

UFC Abu Dhabi

Zaid Quraishi

mma

I am a dedicated MMA and Boxing content writer at The Playoffs. I was instantly hooked on MMA after watching the fight between Lyoto Machida vs. Gegard Mousasi back in 2014, and since then, i have been an avid writer with a deep love for the sport and its techniques, providing readers with a thorough understanding of the sport. My favorite aspect of working at The Playoffs is the creative freedom it provides. The diverse range of topics, from listicles and SEO to news articles, keeps me engaged and motivates me to continuously improve my skills! I aim to capture the excitement of the combat sports world in my writing, acting as the middleman between fighters and their die-hard fans. It is kind of like a referee, but with words!