NEWARK, N.J. – Roman Kopylov beat Cesar Almeida with a split decision Saturday to close out the preliminary card at UFC 302 at Prudential Center in Newark, N.J.

Take a look inside the fight with Kopylov, who got back in the win column after his four-fight winning streak was snapped in February.

Roman Kopylov def. Cesar Almeida

Jun 1, 2024; Newark, New Jersey, USA; Roman Kopylov (blue gloves) celebrates defeating Cesar Almeida (red gloves) during UFC 302 at Prudential Center. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

Result: Roman Kopylov def. Cesar Almeida via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 30-27)
Updated records: Kopylov (13-3 MMA, 5-3 UFC), Almeida (5-1 MMA, 1-1 UFC)
Key stats: Although Kopylov lost the striking battle, he controlled more than 8 minutes of the fight for his first decision win since his pro debut more than eight years ago.

Kopylov on the fight’s key moment

Jun 1, 2024; Newark, New Jersey, USA; Cesar Almeida (red gloves) fights Roman Kopylov (blue gloves) during UFC 302 at Prudential Center. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

“It’s really good to be back in the victory column. Of course, I want it to be a little more of an exciting fight, but the most important thing is victory. … I knew that I landed a really good shot (in the first) and I didn’t really recognize it right away, but I heard my corner. My corner said back up, let him get up, and if I did that earlier then I think that I would be able to finish the fight.”

Kopylov on using a wrestling-based attack

Jun 1, 2024; Newark, New Jersey, USA; Cesar Almeida (red gloves) fights Roman Kopylov (blue gloves) during UFC 302 at Prudential Center. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

“The majority of fights in my career did not last three rounds. They finished way earlier. So of course we knew that he was a very decorated kickboxer. We knew that his base was kickboxing. So the idea was to wrestle as much as possible, and I think it was a new look for the fans to see that I’m able to wrestle.”

Kopylov on what he wants next

Jun 1, 2024; Newark, New Jersey, USA; Cesar Almeida (red gloves) fights Roman Kopylov (blue gloves) during UFC 302 at Prudential Center. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

“I want to be active, if possible. I’d love to fight two more times this year. I think I’ll be ready for September, and if the promotion will allow it, I would love to get somebody from the top 15 – anybody.”

To hear more from Kopylov, check out the video of the full post-fight interview above.

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 302.

UFC 302