Soa Palelei returned to the UFC on Saturday night at UFC 164 and secured his first UFC victory with a third round victory over Nikita Krylov. 
At the beginning of the fight, Krylov threw a kick and Palelei immediately went for a takedown. He would get the fight to the ground and begin to work his ground game. While on his back, Krylov threw punches from the bottom and looked for a submission.
Palelei would escape the submission attempt and passed to the mount position. Krylov was able to get Palelei out of the position and got back to his feet. Krylov would land a flurry of punches against the cage and Palelei clinched to stop the flurry.
Palelei appeared to be slowing down and ended up taking the fight to the ground. While in top position, he landed several punches. Krylov was able to secure a submission off his back but Palelei would escape and the fight moved into the second round.
In the second round, Palelei immediately took the fight to the ground and threw his ground strikes. Krylov continued to look for submission on the ground including an armbar. Krylov got back to his feet with two minutes left in the round but Palelei keep ahold of him.
After a lack of action, the referee separated the fighters and Krylov went on the attack. He landed multiple punches against the cage and Palelei clinched with him to survive. Krylov would not be able to capitalize on his opponent being gassed out and the fight moved into the third round.
As the final round opened, Palelei landed a combination that rocked Krylov and once again they clinched. Krylov would end up falling to the mat and Palelei went for the finish in the mount position. After landing multiple positions in the mount, the referee came in to stop the fight at the 1:34 mark of the final round.
UFC 164 Results:
Soa Palelei def. Nikita Krylov via TKO (strikes) – Round 3, 1:34
Al Iaquinta def. Ryan Couture via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Magnus Cedenblad def. Jared Hamman via submission (guillotine choke) – Round 1, :57