Over the recent years, the UFC light heavyweight division has been in quite the need for some contenders. But just since Saturday, it seems to have found some.

With the emergence of Alexander Rakic and Anthony Smith at UFC Hamburg, there looks to be some new hope for the UFC’s once most heralded weight class.

On top of that, we now have a report from MMA Team Dagestan via Fight Nights Global president Kamil Gadzhiev that former UFC light heavyweight and current FNG champion will be returning to the Octagon.

https://twitter.com/MMATeamDagestan/status/1021496945108496384

”Nikita Krylov for the next two years will sign a contract with UFC. Also, most likely the contract will be signed by Sergey Pavlovich” – president FNG Kamil Gadzhiev.

Also mentioned in the report is a signing of the top prospect, Sergey Pavlovich. BJPenn.com has reached out to get some more clarity and will give an update when provided.

UPDATE: Pavlovich is likely on his way to the UFC as well as negotiations have begun.

Krylov went 6-3 in the UFC from 2013 to 2016 before departing for FNG.

Since then the Ukrainian has won four in a row all of which have ended via finish (three KO/TKOs, one submission). His notable wins coming over the likes of former Bellator light heavyweight champion Emanuel Newton and Fabio Maldonado (who he won the title from).

Prior to Krylov’s last loss against Misha Cirkunov which came in his last UFC appearance, he was riding a solid five-fight winning streak that like his current one, consisted of all finishes (three submissions, two KO/TKOs).

In fact, Krylov has never once gone to a decision in any of his 29 career bouts. Which equals out to 14 wins by submission and 10 by knockout. Of his five losses, he’s lost four by submission and one by knockout.

That one being against Soa Palelei in his UFC debut which was when he was competing at heavyweight.

This article first appeared on BJPenn.com on 7/23/2018