Roman Kopylov Shocks UFC 332 with Stunning Upset KO of Highly-Touted Ateba Gautier

Roman Kopylov shocked everyone at UFC 332 when he stopped the highly touted middleweight star Ateba Gautier during their opening-round battle. The experienced Russian demonstrated his experience by blocking Gautier's powerful strikes with precise counterattacks, producing a stunning finish at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City.

Kopylov Silences Highly-Touted Gautier

A significant underdog against Gautier, Kopylov entered UFC 332  and quickly established himself as one of the most dangerous prospects of the division. The 24-year-old Cameroonian arrived with a stunning 11-1 record and a 10-fight winning streak. This included five UFC wins and four finishes by TKO. 

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Meanwhile, Kopylov was the more experienced fighter. However, he struggled for consistency during his UFC run. The Russian fighter had secured a victory over Marco Tulio, entering the bout while looking to build his own momentum at 185 pounds.

Gautier began his attack with force early on; however, Kopylov found the target with his straight left while maintaining distance from the fighter's powerful strikes. Ultimately, Kopylov delivered a precise strike, following it with a combination of heavy ground strikes, dropping him down.

The fight ended when referee Marc Goddard stepped in to stop the fight at 3:12 of the opening round.

A Major Statement at Middleweight 

This victory marked the second straight win of Kopylov in 2026, improving his record to 16-5. Moreover, the achievement secured the Russian his first major victory in recent years, which immediately shifted how everyone viewed his position within the middleweight division.

Meanwhile, Gautier suffered his first UFC defeat after going 5-0 inside the Octagon. The fight became even more impressive as Kopylov demonstrated his knockout skills while stopping Gautier from reaching his normal fighting rhythm.

Kopylov was visibly stunned by his own accomplishment afterward.

“Honestly, I think I'm dreaming,” Kopylov said through an interpreter. “I was up against a young guy, a killer, and a guy that finishes everybody by knockout. That's why I feel like this isn't real.”

The upset could possibly give Kopylov a chance to face yet another ranked middleweight, as he looks to turn his UFC career around.