Maldonado Vs. Krylov Set To Headline FNG 87 In Brazil

Former Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) light heavyweight standouts Fabio Maldonado and Nikita Krylov will collide in the main event of Fight Nights Global 87 set to take place on May 5 in Sao Paulo, Brazil, according to a recent announcement by the Russian mixed martial arts (MMA) promotion.

The event, which was first reported by Combate, will serve as FNG’s first stop in Brazil.

FIGHT NIGHTS GL0BAL 87 May 5. ⏰5:00 p.m. Sao Paulo. "Corinthians". May 5, Sao Paulo - One of the most beautiful and largest cities in the world will host a historic event, the debut of the FIGHT NIGHTS GLOBAL organization in South America! On this evening, Brazilian MMA fans will appreciate a sports show by one of the strongest world promotions at the "Corinthians" arena! More than ten uncompromising duels with participation of stars of the planet! The culmination of the evening will be the light heavyweight title fight (93.0 kg) between the favorite of the local public, the man who millions of fans fell in love with, Fabio Maldonado and a star contender from Russia, spectacular and bright Nikita Krylov! The co-main event will give fireworks of emotions! The Brazilian Derby - Diego Brandao vs Felipe Froes! The Super Fight that will be remembered for a long time not only in South America! The historical debut of one of the world's leading mixed martial arts companies in Brazil! FIGHT NIGHTS GLOBAL has a rich seven-year history, held more than 80 events and currently has about 150 fighters of the highest level signed! #FNG87 #Brazil #SaoPaolo ———————————— FIGHT NIGHTS GL0BAL 87 5 мая. ⏰17:00 Сан-Пауло. "Коринтианс". 5 мая в Сан-Паулу – одном из самых красивых и крупных городов планеты, состоится историческое событие – дебют организации FIGHT NIGHTS GLOBAL в Южной Америке! В этот вечер, на арене «Коринтианс» поклонники ММА из Мекки смешанных единоборств смогут по достоинству оценить спортивное шоу, которое представит одна из сильнейших мировых организаций! Более десяти бескомпромиссных поединков с участием звезд планеты! Кульминацией вечера станет титульный бой в полутяжелом весе (93.0 кг) между чемпионом FN GLOBAL, любимцем местной публики, человеком, влюбившим в себя миллионы поклонников смешанных единоборств по всему миру, Фабио Мальдонадо и звездным претендентом из России, зрелищным и ярким Никитой Крыловым В ко-мэйн ивенте зрителей ждет "фейерверк" страстей и эмоций! По-другому и быть не может в самом настоящем бразильском дерби - Диего Брандао против Фелипе Фроеса! Бой мечта, который запомнится надолго не только в Южной Америке!

A post shared by MMA - FIGHT NIGHTS GLOBAL (@fightnights) on Mar 28, 2018 at 9:27am PDT

Maldonado, 38, won the vacant FNG light heavyweight championship this past September with a third-round submission finish over previously undefeated Russian Kurban Omarov. The Brazilian slugger has produced a 2-2 record since leaving UFC back in 2015, losing to heavyweight legend Fedor Emelianenko in his FNG debut back in 2016. Maldonado is a threat to finish any one of his fights via knockout so it will be interesting to see how he does against a skilled opponent like “The Miner.”

Krylov, 26, is coming off a huge knockout win over former Bellator MMA champion Emanuel Newton this past October. Since refusing to re-sign with UFC after his submission loss to Misha Cirkunov at UFC 206, Krylov has finished all three of his fights via knockout or submission, two of which came under the FNG banner. He remains one of the more talented 205-pound fighters competing outside of UFC today.

Stick with Mania for complete Maldonado vs. Krylov coverage and results.