The UFC London prelim card features six bouts, the final three of which will be previewed in this post. All win probabilities are based on a fighter’s CC Rating and their place in the CC Rankings.

You can find the previews for the earlier prelims HERE.

[12] Nikita Krylov vs. [7] Paul Craig (Men’s Light Heavyweight)

Nikita Krylov

• Record: 26-8-0
• Division Ranking: 13/41 light heavyweights
• Vegas Odds: -190 (Favorite)

Paul Craig

• Record: 15-4-1
• Division Ranking: 8/41 light heavyweights
• Vegas Odds: +160 (Underdog)

It’s been just over a year since Krylov (#12 CC, #9 UFC) stepped into the octagon. The Russian-Ukrainian fighter from Luhansk has no doubt had a lot on his mind since then and in recent weeks, but when it comes to MMA, there are few more exciting fighters than Krylov. Over 26 career wins, Krylov has finished all but on of them, holding an amazing 10 KOs and 15 submissions. His career in the UFC has been mixed with a 2-3 record. However, when you consider the losses have come at the hands of Magomed Ankalaev (#4 CC, #4 UFC), the current champion Glover Teixiera, and former champ Jan Blachowicz (#1 CC, #1 UFC), it becomes a little easier to explain.

Craig (#7 CC, #11 UFC) is no stranger to finishing fights himself. All 15 of his pro wins have come inside the distance (three KOs, 12 submissions). After a mixed start to his UFC career, he is now 4-01 in his last five, collecting three performance bonuses along the way. In his last bout, he manhandled contender Jamahal Hill (#10 CC, #10 UFC) via a gruesome technical submission that saw Hill’s arm bend all sorts of ways.

Subjective Spin on Objective Reality: This fight features two of the most dangerous submission artists in the game today. It is a crime this fight is not on the main card. With a lot being equal, Krylov’s ring rust may play a factor. Craig also has the momentum and, as a Scotsman, will have the energy of the crowd behind him

Editor’s Pick: Craig

Shamil Abdurakhimov vs. [14] Sergei Pavlovich (Men’s Heavyweight)

Shamil Abdurakhimov

• Record: 20-6-0
• Division Ranking: 22/37 heavyweights
• Vegas Odds: +250 (Underdog)

Sergei Pavlovich

• Record: 14-1-0
• Division Ranking: 15/37 heavyweights
• Vegas Odds: -310 (Favorite)

Abdurakhimov (NR CC, #10 UFC) has had a tough go of it lately, being finished in each of his last two fights, with those coming two years apart. They did, however, come against fellow contenders Curtis Blaydes (#5 CC, #4 UFC) and Chris Daukaus (NR CC, #8 UFC). Prior to that, Abdurakhimov had won five of his last six and boasts 13 career finish wins of his own. Despite the losing streak, the UFC brass are holding him in the top 10. He’s still out there with something to prove.

Pavlovich (#14 CC, NR UFC) has also been remarkably inactive, with his last bout coming in October of 2019. If he picks up where he left off, he’ll be very dangerous. His last two fights in the UFC were first round knockouts. The only blemish on his career record was a loss to former title contender Alistair Overeem in his UFC debut. Pavlovich has massive power in his hands with 11 of his 14 wins coming by KO.

Subjective Spin on Objective Reality: Ring rust should be a factor for both men. Pavlovich will come in 11 years younger than Abdurakhimov. That could allow him a distinct advantage in the later rounds, should it get there. If the fight ends early, bet on it being Pavlovich who scores the finish.

Editor’s Pick: Pavlovich

Mike Grundy vs. Makwan Amirkhani (Men’s Featherweight)

Mike Grundy

• Record: 12-3-0
• Division Ranking: 40/74 featherweights
• Vegas Odds: -190 (Favorite)

Makwan Amirkhani

• Record: 16-7-0
• Division Ranking: 44/74 featherweights
• Vegas Odds: +160 (Underdog)

Grundy, a decorated freestyle wrestler, flipped the script and scored the first KO of his career in his UFC debut. Grundy would then go one to lose two consecutive decisions, dropping his career record to 12-3. One, however, was a defeat to contender Movsar Evloev (#9 CC, #13 UFC). Grundy holds eight submission wins over his career.

Amirkhani comes in on a losing streak of his own, having dropped each of his last three bouts. The streak comes right after he turned in a dazzling first round anaconda submission over Danny Henry at UFC 251. Amirkhani holds 12 finish wins in his career with 11 submissions and just one KO. That one KO just happens to be the UFC record for fastest featherweight KO, in just 8 seconds. This will certainly be a battle of grapplers.

Subjective Spin on Objective Reality: In a fairly even fight, it comes down to whose cardio you trust more and whether you believe Grundy’s wrestling or Amirkhani’s jiujitsu will win the day. In a tossup, go with “Mr. Finland” Amirkhani to right the ship. He also has much more UFC experience.

Editor’s Pick: Amirkhani

Photo Credit: UFC Twitter