Roman Kopylov secured a hard-fought victory against Marco Tulio, potentially avoiding release from the UFC after dropping his previous two fights. Kopylov was losing the first round and a half before turning the tide with three knockdowns in the later rounds, bringing his UFC knockdown total to nine. Despite possessing exceptional speed, technique, and powerful strikes from both hands and feet along with an extensive amateur background, Kopylov's 6-5 UFC record is considered below his potential. The Russian fighter's performance suggests he could achieve more consistent success with greater self-belief and cleaner execution, though the victory represents an important return to winning form.
Roman Kopylov kept his UFC career alive at UFC 328 on May 9, beating Marco Tulio in a middleweight bout that swung dramatically in the Russian's favor over the final rounds.
Kopylov, ranked 14th in the middleweight division at 34 years old, entered the fight on a two-fight skid that had placed his roster spot in serious jeopardy. The southpaw from Russia now stands at 15-5-0 overall and improved his UFC knockdown total to nine with three more registered against Tulio. Standing six feet tall with a 75-inch reach, Kopylov lands 4.59 significant strikes per minute at 50 percent accuracy. The performance was hard-earned — he was being outworked through the first round and a half before his power from both hands and feet ultimately proved decisive.
Tulio, fighting out of Chute Boxe Diego Lima, came in with a 14-3-0 record and the tools to cause problems. The 32-year-old Brazilian operates in an orthodox stance, stands 183 cm tall with a 74-inch reach, and is one of the more active strikers in the division, landing 6.69 significant strikes per minute at an impressive 58 percent accuracy. He also mixes in 1.42 takedowns per 15 minutes, giving him a well-rounded threat profile that made the early pressure he applied entirely credible.
Why it matters
- Kopylov's two-fight losing streak had raised genuine questions about his future with the promotion; this win buys him runway to rebuild.
- At ranked 14th in middleweight, a more convincing run of form could push him toward the upper tier of a competitive division.
- The stylistic contrast — Tulio's high-volume orthodox striking against Kopylov's southpaw power — produced the kind of momentum shifts that make the middleweight division compelling to watch.
Saturday, May 9, 2026
