Alexander Gustafsson Makes LHW Return, Meets Nikita Krylov at UFC London

Big fight incoming!@KrylovUFC vs @AlexTheMauler is official for #UFCLondon

https://t.co/SBdaztkmfe pic.twitter.com/kQMXyp33YW

— UFC Europe (@UFCEurope) May 11, 2022

After a brief foray at heavyweight, Alexander Gustafsson will return to 205 pounds for a matchup against Nikita Krylov at UFC London on July 23.

The Las Vegas-based promotion officially announced the pairing on Wednesday. UFC Fight Night takes place at the O2 Arena in London and is headlined by a heavyweight duel between Curtis Blaydes and Tom Aspinall.

Gustafsson hasn’t fought since July 2020, when he was submitted by Fabricio Werdum in the opening round of his heavyweight debut at UFC on ESPN 14. The Swede was initially slated to face Ben Rothwell on May 21, but that fight was scrapped after Rothwell was granted his UFC release. The three-time 205-pound title challenger has lost three straight bouts dating back to a third-round KO defeat in a rematch with Jon Jones at UFC 232.

Krylov has lost three of his last four Octagon appearances. Most recently, the 30-year-old Ukraine native suffered a first-round submission defeat to Paul Craig at UFC Fight Night 204 on March 19. His last victory came via unanimous decision over Johnny Walker at UFC Fight Night 170 in March 2020.