ATLANTA – Five years after their first meeting, Nikita Krylov (24-6 MMA, 6-4 UFC) returned the favor to Ovince Saint Preux (23-12 MMA, 11-7 UFC), scoring a submission victory.

The light heavyweight bout opened up the main card of today’s UFC 236 event at State Farm Arena in Atlanta. It aired on pay-per-view following prelims on ESPN and early prelims on UFC Fight Pass and ESPN+.

Saint Preux took the center at the start of the contest, but Krylov was the busier fighter, kicking the legs and circling on the outside. Krylov charged forward with punches, as well, but Saint Preux was able to change levels and drive the action to the floor. Krylov worked quickly back to his feet, but Saint Preux kept the action in the clinch. Krylov teased a guillotine from front control, but Saint Preux worked through it and again tripped the action to the canvas.

Krylov continued to scramble well, but Saint Preux did eventually get his opponent flat on his back, quickly advancing to mount before looking to strike. Again, though, Krylov was bale to scramble to his feet, where he had some success with striking aggression.

Krylov opened the second round with kicks to the legs and body before landing a big right hand up top. Saint Preux wisely closed the distance and looked to work from the clinch. However, once there, it was Krylov who was able to change levels and take the fight to the floor, immediately slipping around to the back when Saint Preux tried to escape. Saint Preux initially kept his chin tucked, but Krylov fired off a few strikes and then slipped the arm under the neck before patiently starting his squeeze and earning the tap at the 2:30 mark of the frame.

“I really wanted to finish this fight,” Krylov said. “This is how I lost my last fight, so I wanted to get a submission victory to make good on my return to the UFC. It’s too bad he tapped because I wanted to put him to sleep. I definitely take more joy from this fight because of the submission victory. I learn from every fighter I face. Even in this fight, I noticed he was trying to attempt the Von Flue choke, but I defended and he did not get it.

“This is one of my most pleasing victories of my career to vindicate my last UFC loss. This is only my second fight of my new contract and I want to fight the next best possible opponent.”

Up-to-the-minute UFC 236 results include:

• Nikita Krylov def. Ovince Saint Preux via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 2, 2:30
• Matt Frevola def. Jalin Turner via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
• Alexandre Pantoja def. Wilson Reis via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 2:58
• Max Griffin def. Zelim Imadaev via majority decision (29-27, 29-27, 28-28)
• Khalid Taha def. Boston Salmon via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 0:25
• Belal Muhammad def. Curtis Millender via unanimous decision (29-27, 29-27, 30-26)
• Montel Jackson def. Andre Soukhamthath via unanimous decision (30-26, 30-27, 29-27)
• Poliana Botelho def. Lauren Mueller via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
• Brandon Davis def. Randy Costa via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 2, 1:12

For complete coverage of UFC 236, check out the UFC Events section of the site.