Maldonado defends FNG belt in Brazil against former UFC fighter in March

Maldonado faces Krylov on March 8, in Brazil (Photo: Reproduction/Facebook/Montagem SL)

Light heavyweight champion of the Russian Fight Nights Global event, Fábio Maldonado will make his first belt defense 'at home'. Through his social networks, the fighter revealed that he will put the title on the line against the former UFC fighter Nikita Krylov, on March 8, in an edition held in Brazil, but the host city has not yet been defined. However, the event must take place in São Paulo or Curitiba.

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Maldonado became FNG champion by submitting Russian Kurban Omarov in early September. After being fired from the UFC at the end of 2015, the 37-year-old 'Steel Hillbilly' fought four fights, all in Russia, totaling two wins and two losses, including the controversial fight against the legend Fedor Emelianenko. In total, the Brazilian has a record with 23 positive results and 11 negative results.

Krylov, 12 years younger, had his last UFC fight in December last year, when he was submitted by Misha Cirkunov. His departure from the UFC was due to the fighter not entering into a renewal agreement with the organization. In nine fights at home, he won six and lost three, having been considered one of the main promises in the light heavyweight division. In 2017, he submitted Stjepan Bekavac in 53 seconds in June and knocked out former Bellator champion Emanuel Newton in just 43 seconds in October.