Roman Koplyov defeated Marco Tulio by unanimous decision at UFC 328 with all three judges scoring the bout 29-28. The victory brings Koplyov's UFC record to 7-5. The fight featured moments where Koplyov scored knockdowns on the Brazilian but failed to secure a finish, raising questions about his decision to initiate grappling exchanges rather than pursue the stoppage. The bout followed Koplyov's established pattern of inconsistent performances with moments of brilliance mixed with significant defensive lapses. While Koplyov displayed excellent kicks that were fast and well-disguised, along with strong feinting and power, he was unable to maintain control throughout the fight. The back-and-forth nature resulted in another close, nerve-wracking decision for the Russian middleweight.
Roman Koplyov claimed a hard-fought split decision victory over Marco Tulio at UFC 328 on May 9, with all three judges returning identical 29-28 scorecards in favor of the Russian middleweight.
Koplyov punctuated the fight with knockdowns on Tulio but could not put the Brazilian away, a recurring theme in his career. His footwork and feinting created openings for sharp, well-disguised kicks that generated genuine power, yet he repeatedly chose to pursue grappling exchanges rather than press for a finish after hurting his opponent. Defensive lapses also allowed Tulio back into the action at key moments. The win lifts Koplyov's UFC record to 7-5, a ledger that reflects the pattern of streaky, inconsistent performances that has defined his tenure in the promotion.
Marco Tulio, known as "Matuto," entered the fight at 14-3-0 and carries an impressive offensive profile. The 32-year-old Brazilian out of Chute Boxe Diego Lima lands 6.69 significant strikes per minute at a striking accuracy of 58 percent, numbers that put him among the busier and more precise hitters in the middleweight division. Standing six feet tall with a 74-inch reach, the orthodox fighter also contributes on the ground, averaging 1.42 takedowns per 15 minutes. The loss snaps what had been a promising record and represents a setback for a fighter who had the tools to win a chaotic, back-and-forth contest.
Why it matters
- Koplyov moves to 7-5 in the UFC but his inability to finish a hurt opponent will remain a concern for his development at 185 pounds.
- Tulio's striking volume and accuracy made him a dangerous opponent, and the closeness of the judges' scores underlines how thin the margin was.
- Both fighters remain outside the ranked middleweight picture, but another decision loss further complicates Tulio's path toward contention.
Saturday, May 9, 2026
