LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – JANUARY 11: (R-L) Roman Kopylov of Russia punches Chris Curtis in a middleweight struggle in the course of the UFC Combat Night time occasion at UFC APEX on January 11, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photograph by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC by way of Getty Photos)
There was “Spygate,” with Christ Curtis falsely accusing Roman Kopylov of sending spies to his coaching camp for UFC Vegas 101, then “The Action Man” revealing he’d as soon as threatened to cripple teammate Sean Strickland.
Sure, it was a sometimes wild build-up to a Chris Curtis struggle as soon as once more forward of UFC Vegas 101, however all that took a again seat as soon as the cage door closed on Saturday.
Kopylov opened the struggle with a physique kick, whereas Curtis fired a punch or two again. Kopylov then went low with a kick, whereas Curtis fired his jab. A Curtis kick to the physique didn’t have a lot behind it. Simply over a minute in, Kopylov discovered the mark greater than as soon as with a crisp jab of his personal. A roughly four-punch combo got here moments later for Roman Kopylov, and every one could possibly be heard touchdown with an audible thud. Curtis was overlaying up as greatest he may, guard excessive. Which opened up the physique as a goal, a truth Kopylov was completely happy to benefit from.
Chris Curtis, in the meantime, was seeking to discover a gap, firing a punch excessive, and a nasty left uppercut. That uppercut gave Kopylov pause, and abruptly he was combating off the again foot, although not for lengthy.
Spherical two noticed Curtis on the assault early, opening up a minimize over the suitable eye of Roman Kopylov and damaging his nostril. “The Action Man” was very a lot within the struggle, touchdown with extra accuracy. Simply as issues had been actually going properly for Curtis, nonetheless, he was hit with a low blow, although one which glanced off his personal forearm and was removed from intentional.
A short pause within the motion, and Curtis was good to go. He went again on the assault, snapping again the top of the bloodied Kopylov greater than as soon as. Whether or not Kopylov was compromised or not, the visible was not one. And moments later, the Russian was responsible of one other foul, poking Curtis within the eye. That drew a warning from the ref, however fortunately Chris Curtis was once more good to proceed. And he continued to show good protection, giving Kopylov plenty of completely different appears. Roman linked solidly on the finish of the body however spherical two belonged to Curtis.
It has been nonstop motion from the start!
Roman Kopylov answered the bell for spherical three, popping out fired up and firing a couple of heavy uppercuts. Curtis was nonetheless recreation, however Kopylov had him rocked at one level, and appeared to have discovered a second wind. It appeared as if neither man had even considered a takedown via the higher a part of three rounds. That modified with slightly below two minutes to go, as Roman Kopylov put Curtis on his again. Curtis labored again to the fence, regaining his ft and giving him a remaining minute to complete the struggle. Each males had been swinging onerous, however each males had been exhausted. Then, with all of a second left on the clock, Kopylov launched a head kick simply as Curtis leaned into it. Partially blocked at greatest, Curtis dropped to his knees, unsteady, as Kopylov walked off. The ref, in the meantime, waved off the struggle, leaving Chris Curtis livid a few stoppage being declared regardless of not being in any hazard at that time.
Curtis may barely include himself as Kopylov went over the pay his respects, and coach Eric Nicksick was removed from happy as properly. Notably, Curtis refused to let the ref maintain his hand whereas the end result was being introduced.
Official Consequence: Roman Kopylov def. Chris Curtis by TKO (head kick), Spherical 3, 4:59