Krylov keeps hot streak going, submits Spann in Round 1

Nikita Krylov has been a staple of the light heavyweight division for years, but it might be time for him to make a run to the top.

Krylov submitted Ryan Spann with a triangle choke at the 3:38 mark of the first round at UFC Las Vegas on Saturday night at The Theater at Virgin Hotels.

The matchup between Krylov and Spann was originally scheduled to headline the Feb. 25 UFC Fight Night event, but it was canceled midway through the card after Krylov came down with an illness. Two days later, the promotion rebooked the fight as a three-round, non-main event at a 215-pound catchweight.

The fight was wild and entertaining. Krylov and Spann engaged in scrambles on the mat and both attempted unsuccessful guillotine chokes. Moments before pulling off the finish, Krylov took Spann's back but slipped off the top. Spann immediately tried to get on top of Krylov but instead got caught in a triangle choke and almost immediately tapped out.

With the victory, Krylov is now riding a three-fight winning streak. The No. 6-ranked light heavyweight entered the fight coming off victories against former title challengers Volkan Oezdemir and Alexander Gustafsson, the latter of whom Krylov knocked out in 67 seconds last summer.

Spann suffered his first setback since September 2021 when Anthony Smith submitted him in a UFC Fight Night main event. His two-fight winning streak - which included wins over ex-title challenger Dominick Reyes and Ion Cutelaba - came to an end. Spann is ranked No. 8 in the division.