Why a professional fighter changed his nickname to honor his hometown
In short: Nikita Krylov, a Ukrainian-born mixed martial artist, once fought under the moniker 'Al Capone.' However, a shift in identity occurred when he decided to honor the mining community of his hometown, Donetsk, by adopting a new nickname: 'The Miner.'
Born in 1992 to an ethnic Russian family in Krasnyi Luch, Ukraine, Krylov began his martial arts journey at age ten through Kyokushin karate. This foundation led him to professional mixed martial arts in 2012, making his debut in Donetsk. His early career saw rapid success, including eleven wins in just five months, though he faced early setbacks against Vladimir Mishchenko in late 2012 and early 2013.
Krylov's career is marked by significant transitions, including his move to the UFC in 2013 and a strategic departure from the organization in 2017. He chose not to re-sign with the UFC at that time, expressing a desire to compete closer to his home in Ukraine and to further refine his skills. This period included a stint with the Eurasia Fight Nights/Fight Nights Global promotion, where he challenged for and won the light heavyweight title against Fabio Maldonado in May 2018.
His identity and political stances have often been in the spotlight. While training in Kyiv, Krylov faced social consequences, such as being shunned from his gym, after wearing a Russian flag during the war between the two countries. This period preceded his relocation to Moscow and the acquisition of Russian citizenship. His professional persona has also evolved; while his 'Al Capone' nickname was inspired by the notorious figure, his later 'The Miner' nickname was a deliberate tribute to the occupational miners of Donetsk.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Nikita Krylov
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