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Slated for Vegas
Kopylov will take on Brunno Ferreira at UFC Vegas 96 on August 24, Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl reports.
ANALYSIS
Kopylov will look for his first knockout of 2024 after beating Cesar Almeida via split decision in June and being submitted by Anthony Hernandez in February. The Russian middleweight fights a less seasoned UFC fighter in Ferreira, who sports a 3-1 record compared to Kopylov's 5-3.
Kopylov will look for his first knockout of 2024 after beating Cesar Almeida via split decision in June and being submitted by Anthony Hernandez in February. The Russian middleweight fights a less seasoned UFC fighter in Ferreira, who sports a 3-1 record compared to Kopylov's 5-3.
Laces up wrestling shoes in win
Kopylov defeated Cesar Almeida via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 30-27) at UFC 302 on Saturday in Newark.
ANALYSIS
This fight looked like one-way traffic early, as Kopylov timed grappling exchanges to coincide with Almeida's blitzes while knocking him down with a hard counter shot in Round 1. The Brazilian kickboxer was able to stay upright and do good work in Round 2 but was in no shape to stop a wrestling attack in the third frame, allowing a tired Kopylov to ride out the fight in top position. While it wasn't the most exciting way to win, one would be hard-pressed to give the fight to Almeida, who landed one more significant strike than his opponent in a round that saw him taken down twice and controlled for 3:40. An explosive kickboxer in his own right, it's good to see Kopylov add layers to his game, even if he has a long way to go before he is considered more than just a striker. He improves to 13-3 in professional MMA due to the victory.
This fight looked like one-way traffic early, as Kopylov timed grappling exchanges to coincide with Almeida's blitzes while knocking him down with a hard counter shot in Round 1. The Brazilian kickboxer was able to stay upright and do good work in Round 2 but was in no shape to stop a wrestling attack in the third frame, allowing a tired Kopylov to ride out the fight in top position. While it wasn't the most exciting way to win, one would be hard-pressed to give the fight to Almeida, who landed one more significant strike than his opponent in a round that saw him taken down twice and controlled for 3:40. An explosive kickboxer in his own right, it's good to see Kopylov add layers to his game, even if he has a long way to go before he is considered more than just a striker. He improves to 13-3 in professional MMA due to the victory.
Facing Cesar Almeida at UFC 302
Kopylov will face Cesar Almeida in a middleweight bout at UFC 302 on June 1, Damon Martin of MMAFighting.com reports.
ANALYSIS
After losing his last bout to Anthony Hernandez, Kopylov will return to the Octagon in June to face Cesar Almeida. Kopylov heads into the fight with a 12-3-0 record and Almeida currently sits undefeated at 5-0-0.
After losing his last bout to Anthony Hernandez, Kopylov will return to the Octagon in June to face Cesar Almeida. Kopylov heads into the fight with a 12-3-0 record and Almeida currently sits undefeated at 5-0-0.
Winning streak snapped at four
Kopylov lost to Anthony Hernandez via submission (rear-naked choke) at 3:23 of Round 2 at UFC 298 on Saturday in Anaheim.
ANALYSIS
Kopylov entered having won four in a row, but Hernandez was lightyears better than anyone he defeated during that streak. The loss is disheartening, but all things considered, Roman fought pretty well. He ended up stuffing 11-of-14 Hernandez takedown attempts and may have very well won Round 1 on the strength of his usual solid work in the stand-up. The issue for Kopylov came midway through Round 2 when Hernandez finally got him to the mat for good. Roman was able to fight off the first rear-naked choke attempt, but "Fluffy" simply adjusted, and Kopylov was tapping out moments later. Roman has turned into a valued member of the UFC roster, something that seemed unthinkable following back-to-back defeats to begin his time with the company. We should see him back in the Octagon in short order.
Kopylov entered having won four in a row, but Hernandez was lightyears better than anyone he defeated during that streak. The loss is disheartening, but all things considered, Roman fought pretty well. He ended up stuffing 11-of-14 Hernandez takedown attempts and may have very well won Round 1 on the strength of his usual solid work in the stand-up. The issue for Kopylov came midway through Round 2 when Hernandez finally got him to the mat for good. Roman was able to fight off the first rear-naked choke attempt, but "Fluffy" simply adjusted, and Kopylov was tapping out moments later. Roman has turned into a valued member of the UFC roster, something that seemed unthinkable following back-to-back defeats to begin his time with the company. We should see him back in the Octagon in short order.
Fourth straight knockout win
Kopylov defeated Josh Fremd via TKO (strikes) at 4:44 of Round 2 at Noche UFC on Saturday in Las Vegas.
ANALYSIS
Considering everything we have seen from Kopylov the past year, it's crazy to think he began his UFC run with back-to-back losses to Karl Robertson (submission) and Albert Duraev (unanimous decision). Right now, the guy looks unstoppable. This was his fourth straight knockout victory, and it again came in overwhelming fashion. Roman made a repeated attempt to damage Fremd to the body throughout the course of the bout, and it paid massive dividends. The finishing blow was a left hand to the midsection which sent Fremd crumbling to the mat and forced referee Mark Smith to immediately step in. The UFC has no choice but to give Kopylov a better opponent his next time out. In the meantime, he'll walk away $50,000 richer, as he was selected as one of the five Performance of the Night recipients Saturday.
Considering everything we have seen from Kopylov the past year, it's crazy to think he began his UFC run with back-to-back losses to Karl Robertson (submission) and Albert Duraev (unanimous decision). Right now, the guy looks unstoppable. This was his fourth straight knockout victory, and it again came in overwhelming fashion. Roman made a repeated attempt to damage Fremd to the body throughout the course of the bout, and it paid massive dividends. The finishing blow was a left hand to the midsection which sent Fremd crumbling to the mat and forced referee Mark Smith to immediately step in. The UFC has no choice but to give Kopylov a better opponent his next time out. In the meantime, he'll walk away $50,000 richer, as he was selected as one of the five Performance of the Night recipients Saturday.