Roman Kopylov is now simply the second fighter ever to complete Chris Curtis through strikes, although the end was not with out controversy.
The middleweights threw down on the UFC Vegas 101 essential card, with Kopylov taking it to the 43-fight veteran whilst Curtis bloodied Kopylov up with precision strikes. Because the third spherical got here to a detailed, it regarded prefer it was nonetheless anyone’s struggle till Kopylov landed a head kick round Curtis’ defenses that staggered “The Motion Man.” With one second left on the clock, referee Mark Smith stepped in to wave off the bout.
It was a powerful efficiency from Kopylov, one which may have been overshadowed by the controversy surrounding the timing of the stoppage. A number of fighters took to Twitter to query Smith’s choice, together with former UFC gentle heavyweight champion Jamahal Hill, who was seated cageside at UFC APEX.
“You don’t name that horrible stoppage,” Hill wrote.
See extra fighter reactions from social media under.
You don’t name that horrible stoppage!!!
— Jamahal Hill (@JamahalH) January 12, 2025
1 second left, no comply with up shot, and he was getting up….. WHYD HE STOP THE FIGHT?! Horrible stoppage!! Let it go to the rating playing cards. #UFCFightNight
— Corey ‘Time beyond regulation’ Anderson (@CoreyA_MMA) January 12, 2025
I am truly disgusted with that… He wasn’t at risk in any respect since Kopylov was strolling away AND… HE WAS GETTING UP!
REALLY unhealthy name there.
— Mike “Beast Boy” Davis (@MikeDavisMMA) January 12, 2025
Widespread Kopylov W. Good change up with the wrestling on the finish and a hell of a end #UFCVegas101
— Chase Hooper (@chase_hooper) January 12, 2025
Proper because the spherical is ending. I’ll let others debate if it was a great stoppage or not. Enjoyable struggle #UFCVegas101
— Jillian DeCoursey (@lionheartjill) January 12, 2025
Bruh ain’t no means Curtis has each rt to be pissed smh
— Terrance McKinney (@twrecks155) January 12, 2025
Woow no means it was the leg I believe that collapsed
— Belal Muhammad (@bullyb170) January 12, 2025
Combat was gonna be a Kopylov win no matter stoppage imo. Kopylov was gonna win that third spherical however Curtis is hard as nails per ordinary. That was a banger.
— Kenny Florian (@kennyflorian) January 12, 2025
