Glover Teixeira’s wrestling proved to be an important factor tonight as he earned a split decision victory over Nikita Krylov at UFC Fight Night 158.
Round One:
Leg kicks for Krylov to start. Body kick for Krylov while Teixeira gets the counter punch.
Teixeira goes for an early takedown attempt and is able to land it succesfully in the opening minute of the fight.
Teixeira in half-guard. Solid right hands from the Brazilian hands on top. Krylov gives up his back and Teixeira gladly takes it.
Teixeira flattens him out momentarily, but Krylov adjusts. Again he’s flattened and again Teixeira blasts him with punches.
Krylov standing now and is able to shake off Teixeira and gets on top. Good work from Krylov, but it’s not long before it’s Teixeira who is scrambling up and works for the takedown against the cage.
However Krylov catches him in a guillotine choke and goes to ground with it. This looks very tight, but Teixeira is trying hard to fight it off and somehow manages to.
They stand and Krylov is able to land a nice couple of strikes including an elbow. Teixeira already bleeding from multiple cuts to the head in this first round, including around his eye and in the middle of his forehead.
Teixeira still dangerous himself on the feet too though and catches Krylov with a couple of punches before the round ends.
Round Two:
leg kick for Krylov. Body kick for him and a counter punch lands for Teixeira. Front kick to the body from Krylov. Body kick for him. Now a leg kick. Teixeira caught a kick, but unable to get the takedown.
Kick to the leg for Krylov and then a punch. Krylov circling the cage. They both exchange and Teixeira with a hook.
Two-piece combo from Teixeira and Krylov didn’t like that. Another punches lands for the Brazilian. Punch and kick from Krylov.
Jab for Krylov. Texeira trying to keep the pressure on and lands a body punch. Overhand right for Teixeira. Nice body kick from Krylov.
leg kick for Krylov as Teixeira comes over the top with a punch. Hard stepping body kick from Teixeira. Krylov on his bike a lott at the moment as Teixeira continues to press the action.
Krylov with a few punches down the pipe. Teixeira drives into a takedown, but can’t get him down and eats a knee. Teixeira clinches against the cage, but Krylov reverses position.
Krylov able to get a takedown and is in half-guard. A few short elbows for Krylov to end the round.
Round Three:
right and then a left lands for Teixeira. Krylov in on a clinch and Teixeira tries for a guillotine choke and drops down with it. It looks quite tight, but Krylov steps over and then pops his head out.
Teixeira on his knees and Krylov takes his back. He slips off though and Teixeira ends up on top in half-guard.
Teixeira tries to mount then goes for an armbar attempt, but Krylov is able to escape and stands back up, pressing Teixeira against the cage.
Krylov pulls him from the cage and tries to get this single leg attempt, but Teixeira shows good balance and stays upright as they go to the cage again.
Krylov looking for the takedown as Teixeira wraps his arm under the neck. Krylov takes him down anyway and Teixeira tries for the guillotine choke. Again Krylov escapes it though and is now in half-guard with a minute remaining to work and steal this round or find a finish.
Krylov lands a few lefts. Teixeira attempts to sweep and while it’s only partially successful at first he keeps working and does end up on top with just a few seconds remaining.
Decision:
Good close fight then and in the end it’s Teixeira who just edges it on two of the judges scorecards to earn a split decision win (29-28 x2, 28-29).
