The UFC 298 main card opens up with an exciting middleweight bout between Anthony Hernandez and Roman Kopylov, showcasing a clash of styles within the division.
Anthony Hernandez Submits Roman Kopylov at UFC 298
“Fluffy” Hernandez comes into the fight with a record of 11-2(1), known for his remarkable submission win over jiu-jitsu wizard Rodolfo Vieira in 2021. Since then, Hernandez has compiled a series of quality wins, including unanimous decision victories and TKOs, demonstrating his versatile skill set. Hernandez’s recent performances, highlighted by his submission over Edmen Shahbazyan in 2023, underline his growth and potential within the middleweight division. He is a relentless grappler and has the ability to use his pace and “ragdoll” his opponents, forcing them to play his game.
Roman Kopylov
Kopylov enters this fight with a record of 12-2 and had a rocky start in the UFC with grappling weaknesses exposed in his early fights. However, recent matchups have allowed him to showcase his striking prowess, earning 3 successive knockouts over notable opponents and rebuilding his momentum in the division. Kopylov’s striking, particularly his kickboxing, poses a significant threat to opponents, and his recent win streak has set the stage for a potentially career-defining bout against Hernandez.
The fight presents a classic striker versus grappler matchup, with Hernandez likely to leverage his Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt skills and wrestling to control the fight on the ground. Kopylov’s strategy will likely involve keeping the fight standing, where his kickboxing could give him an edge. Kopylov’s preparation for Hernandez’s takedown attempts and his ability to maintain distance and utilize his striking will be critical factors in this bout.
Despite Hernandez’s grappling advantage, Kopylov’s striking and improved takedown defence presents a formidable challenge. This bout is not only a test of Hernandez’s ability to implement his game plan against a dangerous striker but also an opportunity for Kopylov to prove his worth against a higher-ranked opponent and potentially secure his position in the UFC middleweight rankings.
What Unfolded at UFC 298
The first round was closely contested with both men both trying to implement their game plans. Notably several body kicks were landed from Kopylov, but the majority of the round consisted of Hernandez looking and shooting for takedowns against the fence.
The second starts and Hernandez eats a powerful kick from Kopylov, but sticks his tongue out, and marches forward continuing to put on a pace. After a handful of takedown attempts stuffed, Hernandez finally gets what he’s looking for, and dominates the position eventually sinking in his signature rear-naked-choke.
Featured image credits to Embed from Getty Images
