Roman Kopylov defeated Marco Tulio via unanimous decision with scorecards of 29-28, 29-28, and 29-28 at UFC 328. Kopylov's UFC record now stands at 7-5. The post expresses disappointment that Kopylov did not finish Tulio despite scoring knockdowns during the fight. The performance is described as another competitive, back-and-forth contest from Kopylov, who absorbed many strikes but also landed several high-quality attacks. The post notes Kopylov's effective kicks and ability to hide strikes and feint, but questions why he struggles to dominate fights from start to finish despite having strong tools.
Roman Kopylov picked up a hard-fought unanimous decision victory over Marco Tulio at UFC 328 on May 9, with all three judges scoring the middleweight bout 29-28 in the Russian's favor.
Kopylov, now 34 years old and fighting out of Raty Team, improves his overall record to 15-5-0 and moves to 7-5 inside the UFC. Ranked 14th in the middleweight division, the six-foot southpaw carries a 75-inch reach and has built a reputation as a dangerous striker capable of hurting opponents at any moment. He lands 4.59 significant strikes per minute at 50 percent accuracy, and the performance at UFC 328 was consistent with his established pattern — flashes of genuine brilliance mixed with extended stretches of competitive give-and-take. Kopylov scored knockdowns during the fight and displayed his trademark ability to disguise strikes and create hesitation with feints, yet once again could not put his opponent away for good.
Tulio, the 32-year-old Brazilian known as "Matuto," falls to 14-3-0 overall and absorbs his first loss since joining the UFC roster. Fighting out of Chute Boxe Diego Lima, the orthodox middleweight is a high-volume striker who lands an impressive 6.69 significant strikes per minute at 58 percent accuracy — numbers that help explain why Kopylov absorbed considerable punishment across three rounds despite being the aggressor. Tulio also adds a takedown threat, averaging 1.42 per 15 minutes.
Why it matters
- Kopylov's 7-5 UFC record and No. 14 middleweight ranking keep him in a tight cluster of contenders fighting for positioning in a deep division.
- The inability to finish a downed opponent will draw scrutiny and may limit his climb toward the division's upper tier.
- Tulio's high striking output and accuracy made him a difficult opponent to close out, and the 29-28 scorecards on every card suggest the judges saw a close but consistent edge for Kopylov throughout.
Saturday, May 9, 2026
