Roman Kopylov
Russia
Brief winning streak snapped
Kopylov lost to Paulo Costa via unanimous decision (27-30, 27-30, 28-29) at UFC 318 on Saturday in New Orleans.
ANALYSIS
Kopylov entered having won six of seven, including five of those via knockout, but his best victory during that stretch came against Chris Curtis. Costa, even in his diminished state of late, is quite a bit better than all those guys. Kopylov simply was unable to get out of first gear. He appeared hesitant to let his hands go and was biting on every single fake Costa threw his way. He ate far too many kicks, both to the legs and body, and didn't appear to land one truly damaging blow until there were just a couple minutes left in the bout. Kopylov has zero grappling skills, and he's going to struggle mightily if those power shots aren't connecting with regularity. The 33-year-old Russian will attempt to rebound his next time out.
Kopylov entered having won six of seven, including five of those via knockout, but his best victory during that stretch came against Chris Curtis. Costa, even in his diminished state of late, is quite a bit better than all those guys. Kopylov simply was unable to get out of first gear. He appeared hesitant to let his hands go and was biting on every single fake Costa threw his way. He ate far too many kicks, both to the legs and body, and didn't appear to land one truly damaging blow until there were just a couple minutes left in the bout. Kopylov has zero grappling skills, and he's going to struggle mightily if those power shots aren't connecting with regularity. The 33-year-old Russian will attempt to rebound his next time out.
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Costa fight gets new date
Kopylov's scheduled middleweight matchup against Paulo Costa has been moved to UFC 318 on July 19, Damon Martin of MMAFighting.com reports.
ANALYSIS
The fight was originally scheduled for UFC 317 on June 28, and while reports Tuesday morning suggested it had been canceled, it is instead simply being pushed back. Kopylov, who is 6-1 in his last seven UFC bouts, had been listed as roughly a (-258) betting favorite for the original booking.
The fight was originally scheduled for UFC 317 on June 28, and while reports Tuesday morning suggested it had been canceled, it is instead simply being pushed back. Kopylov, who is 6-1 in his last seven UFC bouts, had been listed as roughly a (-258) betting favorite for the original booking.
Will take on Paulo Costa
Kopylov will face Paulo Costa at UFC 317 on June 28 in a middleweight bout, Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl reports.
ANALYSIS
Kopylov defeated Chris Curtis via TKO in his most recent fight on Jan. 11, and the Russian has been on a tear of late after winning six of his last seven fights. He should have the upper hand on paper against Costa, who has lost his previous two fights and is also coming off an injury that has kept him sidelined for almost a year.
Kopylov defeated Chris Curtis via TKO in his most recent fight on Jan. 11, and the Russian has been on a tear of late after winning six of his last seven fights. He should have the upper hand on paper against Costa, who has lost his previous two fights and is also coming off an injury that has kept him sidelined for almost a year.
Takes war from Chris Curtis
Kopylov defeated Chris Curtis via TKO (head kick) at 4:59 of Round 3 at UFC Fight Night on Saturday in Las Vegas.
ANALYSIS
It was a wild, back-and-forth war in which both men had their moments. Each would end up walking away with a $50,000 Fight of the Night bonus when it was all said and done. Kopylov started very quickly, getting the better of Curtis in Round 1. He faded for a good portion of Round 2, but picked up the pace in Round 3. Roman has had cardio issues in the past, and he appeared tired late here, but battled through it. Kopylov landed the more notable blows, which allowed him to overcome Curtis' 142-130 edge in total strikes landed. Roman also deserves credit for going to his wrestling game late in order to secure the victory. He was going to win a decision if referee Mark Smith didn't stop the fight with a second to go. The 32-year-old Russian has come out of nowhere to win six of his last seven. The lone defeat in that stretch came against a legitimate title contender in Anthony Hernandez.
It was a wild, back-and-forth war in which both men had their moments. Each would end up walking away with a $50,000 Fight of the Night bonus when it was all said and done. Kopylov started very quickly, getting the better of Curtis in Round 1. He faded for a good portion of Round 2, but picked up the pace in Round 3. Roman has had cardio issues in the past, and he appeared tired late here, but battled through it. Kopylov landed the more notable blows, which allowed him to overcome Curtis' 142-130 edge in total strikes landed. Roman also deserves credit for going to his wrestling game late in order to secure the victory. He was going to win a decision if referee Mark Smith didn't stop the fight with a second to go. The 32-year-old Russian has come out of nowhere to win six of his last seven. The lone defeat in that stretch came against a legitimate title contender in Anthony Hernandez.
Draws Curtis in January
Kopylov (abdomen) will take on Chris Curtis (foot) in a middleweight matchup at the UFC event scheduled for January 11, Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl reports.
ANALYSIS
Kopylov was scheduled for a date with Brunno Ferreira this summer, but he was forced to withdraw due to an abdominal injury, and the UFC appears to have moved on from that matchup. Instead, they'll give him "The Action Man" in one of the company's first fights of 2025. Prior to the injury, Kopylov had came away victorious in five of his last six trips to the Octagon, while Curtis has just one win in his last four walks. Kopylove has the better grappling numbers, while Curtis throws higher striking volume (but also gets hit more).
Kopylov was scheduled for a date with Brunno Ferreira this summer, but he was forced to withdraw due to an abdominal injury, and the UFC appears to have moved on from that matchup. Instead, they'll give him "The Action Man" in one of the company's first fights of 2025. Prior to the injury, Kopylov had came away victorious in five of his last six trips to the Octagon, while Curtis has just one win in his last four walks. Kopylove has the better grappling numbers, while Curtis throws higher striking volume (but also gets hit more).
Withdraws from UFC Vegas 96
Kopylov has withdrawn from UFC Vegas 96 after an abdominal injury, according to Guilherme Cruz of MMAFighting.com.
ANALYSIS
Kopylov underwent appendicitis surgery, which is expected to keep him out until the latter part of 2024. The UFC has yet to name a replacement for Brunno Ferreira, who needs a new opponent after Kopylov's withdrawal.
Kopylov underwent appendicitis surgery, which is expected to keep him out until the latter part of 2024. The UFC has yet to name a replacement for Brunno Ferreira, who needs a new opponent after Kopylov's withdrawal.