UFC 314 video: Dominick Reyes sleeps Nikita Krylov with brutal one-punch knockout in first round
Dominick Reyes has officially silenced all his doubters with another stunning knockout — this time putting Nikita Krylov to sleep in the opening main card fight at UFC 314.
The two-time title challenger suffered through one of the toughest runs in recent history after dropping several fights in a row but now he’s scored three straight finishes and his latest may be his most impressive. With Krylov coming after him from the opening second of the fight, Reyes was measured in his response after rocking the Russian with a nasty jab in an early exchange.
It was almost the exact same sequence when Krylov came forward again but this time Reyes stepped back and unloaded a devastating left hand that connected clean. Krylov just flew down to the canvas, already unconscious from the punch as Reyes began his celebration with the fight ending at 2:24 in the opening round.
THE TITLE RUN CONTINUES#UFC314 pic.twitter.com/rDG0LAIKOf
— Spinnin Backfist (@SpinninBackfist) April 13, 2025
“I’m not back, I’m better,” Reyes said. “I mean fighting Nikita Krylov is no joke. He’s just a solid competitor. He’s one of the hardest matchups in the division and I got it done. I’m still here fighting. I’m going to be in the top 10 now. One more and then a title, let’s go.”
The fight played out in two crucial sequences with similar results after Krylov was just hard charging from the start and Reyes playing the matador to his bull. The first jab with the right hand rocked Krylov but he was able to reset without taking any further damage.
That shot didn’t deter Krylov from continuing with the same game plan but it backfired just as badly the second time around with him moving forward and Reyes unloading the straight left that ended the fight. The knockout marked Reyes’ third win in a row overall — all by stoppage — and he’s right back in the thick of things at 205 pounds.
There’s no telling what’s next but Reyes has firmly planted himself back in the rankings with hopes that he can make another run at the title in the near future.