Roman Kopylov

Roman Yuryevich Kopylov (; born 4 May 1991) is a Russian mixed martial artist who currently competes in the Middleweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship.

Background Roman Kopylov was born in Shchebzavod, a small village in the Kemerovo region of Russia, and began his journey in martial arts at the age of nine. His parents, both former athletes, nurtured his passion for hand-to-hand combat. Gradually, Kopylov started winning trophies at various levels, from city to regional and higher-level competitions starting in 2010. He served in the National Guard of the Siberian District where he continued to compete in martial arts. After graduating from a branch of Kemerovo State University in 2014, he ventured into mixed martial arts.

Kopylov is a five-time world champion in hand-to-hand combat sambo, and has also won several European and Russian championships. He has earned degrees in economics and physical education from Kemerovo State University and Novokuznetsk Institute. His MMA idol is Fedor Emelianenko.

Mixed martial arts career

Early career Roman Kopylov began his MMA career in Ufa in April 2016 at the WCSA tournament. His first fight was against Filipe Aiyugono from Guinea. Despite it being his debut, Kopylov managed to win by unanimous decision after fighting all the rounds. Later in 2016, Kopylov fought in the League S-70 ring and knocked out a foreign opponent. He maintained careers in both MMA and RB and demonstrated an unmatched level of skill. However, Kopylov pulled out of the bout on March 22 citing injury.

Kopylov made his UFC debut against Karl Roberson on 9 November 2019 at UFC Fight Night 163. He lost the fight via a submission in round three, his first MMA loss.

Kopylov was scheduled to replace Punahele Soriano against Eric Spicely at UFC on ESPN: Ngannou vs. Rozenstruik on 28 March 2020. However, the event was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, leaving the bout was scrapped.

His next opportunity was against Tom Breese in Abu Dhabi on 4 October 2020 at UFC on ESPN 16. However, Kopylov was removed from the bout as both he and his coach tested positive for coronavirus upon arrival and had to isolate for 3 weeks.

Kopylov was then scheduled to face Sam Alvey on 31 July 2021, at UFC on ESPN 28. However, Kopylov wasn't able to obtain his US visa in time and the bout was scrapped.

Kopylov faced Albert Duraev on 30 October 2021 at UFC 267. He lost the fight via unanimous decision.

Kopylov was scheduled to face Jordan Wright at UFC Fight Night 205 on 23 April 2022. However, Kopylov withdrew from the bout and was replaced by Marc-André Barriault.

Kopylov faced Alessio Di Chirico on 3 September 2022 at UFC Fight Night 209. He won the fight via knockout in round three.

Kopylov faced Punahele Soriano on 14 January 2023 at UFC Fight Night 217. He won the fight via technical knockout after knocking down Soriano with a body kick in the second round. This win earned him the Performance of the Night bonus.

Kopylov was scheduled to face Josh Fremd on 17 June 2023 at UFC on ESPN 47. However, the bout never materialized and Kopylov took on Claudio Ribeiro at UFC 291 on 29 July 2023. Kopylov won the bout via head kick knockout in round two.

Kopylov was scheduled to face Anthony Hernandez, replacing Chris Curtis on 16 September 2023, at UFC Fight Night 227. However, Curtis withdrew due to a rib injury and was replaced by Roman Kopylov. However, Hernandez pulled out of the bout due to a torn ligament and was replaced by Josh Fremd. Kopylov won the fight via body punch knockout in round two. This win earned him the Performance of the Night award.

Kopylov faced Anthony Hernandez, replacing injured Ikram Aliskerov, on 17 February 2024, at UFC 298. In a competitive bout, Kopylov lost by a rear-naked choke submission in the second round.

Kopylov faced César Almeida on 1 June 2024 at UFC 302. He won the fight by split decision.

Kopylov was scheduled to face Brunno Ferreira on 24 August 2024 at UFC on ESPN 62. However, Kopylov withdrew from the bout after having appendicitis surgery.

Kopylov faced Chris Curtis on 11 January 2025 at UFC Fight Night 249. In a competitive bout, Kopylov won the fight by a head kick knockout with one second left in the third round. This fight earned him a Fight of the Night award.

Kopylov was scheduled to face former UFC Middleweight Championship challenger Paulo Costa on 28 June 2025 at UFC 317. However, for unknown reasons the bout was moved to UFC 318 which took place on 19 July 2025. Kopylov lost the fight by unanimous decision.

Kopylov faced Gregory Rodrigues on 15 November 2025, at UFC 322. He lost the fight by unanimous decision.

Kopylov faced Marco Tulio on 9 May 2026 at UFC 328. He won the fight by unanimous decision.

Kopylov is scheduled to face Ateba Gautier on 3 October 2026 at UFC 332.

Championships and accomplishments

Mixed martial arts

Ultimate Fighting Championship Fight of the Night (One time) Tied (Robert Whittaker & Thiago Santos) for fifth most knockdowns landed in UFC Middleweight division history (9) Fight Nights Global Fight Nights Middleweight Championship (One time) One successful title defence World Combat Self-Defense Association WCSA Middleweight Championship (One time)

Mixed martial arts record Win

Marco Tulio Decision (unanimous) UFC 328

Newark, New Jersey, United States Loss

Gregory Rodrigues Decision (unanimous) UFC 322

New York City, New York, United States Loss

Paulo Costa Decision (unanimous) UFC 318

New Orleans, Louisiana, United States Win

Chris Curtis TKO (head kick) UFC Fight Night: Dern vs. Ribas 2

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

César Almeida Decision (split) UFC 302

Newark, New Jersey, United States Loss

Anthony Hernandez Submission (rear-naked choke) UFC 298

Anaheim, California, United States Win

Josh Fremd KO (punch to the body) UFC Fight Night: Grasso vs. Shevchenko 2

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Claudio Ribeiro KO (head kick) UFC 291

Salt Lake City, Utah, United States Win

Punahele Soriano TKO (body kick and punches) UFC Fight Night: Strickland vs. Imavov

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Alessio Di Chirico KO (punches) UFC Fight Night: Gane vs. Tuivasa

Paris, France Loss

Albert Duraev Decision (unanimous) UFC 267

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates Loss

Karl Roberson Submission (rear-naked choke) UFC Fight Night: Magomedsharipov vs. Kattar

Moscow, Russia Win

Yasubey Enomoto KO (punch to the body) Fight Nights Global 91

Moscow, Russia Win

Abusupyan Alikhanov TKO (corner stoppage) Fight Nights Global 85

Moscow, Russia Win

Luiz Gustavo Dutra KO (punch) League S-70: Plotforma Cup 2017

Sochi, Russia Win

Kobe Ortiz TKO (corner stoppage) Fight Nights Global 69

Novosibirsk, Russia Win

Artem Shokalo TKO (punches) Fight Nights Global 59

Khimki, Russia Win

Islam Gugov KO (spinning back kick to the body) ACB 49: Rostov Onslaught

Rostov-on-Don, Russia Win

José Santos KO (punch) League S-70: Plotforma Cup 2016

Sochi, Russia Win

Felipe Nsue Decision (unanimous) WCSA Combat Ring 18: X-Fight

Ufa, Russia