MMA Preview – Roman Kopylov vs Claudio Ribeiro at UFC 291
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ROMAN KOPYLOV VS CLAUDIO RIBEIRO FACTS
When is UFC 291? Sunday 30th July, 2023 - 00:00 (UK)
Where is UFC 291? Delta Center, Salt Lake City, Utah (US)
Where can I get tickets for UFC 291? Click here to buy tickets for UFC 291
What channel is UFC 291 on? BT Sport 1
Where can I stream UFC 291? BT Sport subscribers can stream the fight online via the BT Sport website
For viewers in the United States, the event will be shown live on ESPN+ and you can sign up for access as part of a Disney Bundle here!
ROMAN KOPYLOV VS CLAUDIO RIBEIRO LOWDOWN
Roman Kopylov (10-2) is finally showing the skills that got him to the UFC dance. He arrived to the octagon unbeaten having knocked out his last seven opponents. However, he got submitted by Karl Roberson (2019) on debut then outpointed by Albert Duraev (2021). However, he has bounced back with two vintage knockouts over Alessio Di Chirico (2022) and Punahele Soriano back in January.
Claudio Ribeiro (11-3) also got a slap of reality on his UFC debut. He was riding his own six-fight knockout streak and met Abdul Razak Alhassan (2023) thinking he could continue the run however he got a taste of his own medicine getting pummelled in the second round. He picked himself up, dusted himself off four months later and got his account up and running by knocking out Joseph Holmes.
ROMAN KOPYLOV VS CLAUDIO RIBEIRO PREDICTION
Ribeiro is extremely dangerous and aggressive. He has knockout power in both hands, but he has no technique and if he swings his wild looping punches with his chin exposed, Kopylov will eat him for breakfast.
Kopylov is also a knockout artist, but he is technical and simply the more skilled striker. His clear weakness is his grappling and Ribeiro would be wise to wrestle and get the Russian on his back.
He has the ability to take him down and close out the rounds. However, that is just not in his nature and we expect him to stand and trade with the Russian which should be a death sentence.
Anything can happen when they both possess knockout power, but on paper, Kopylov should win the striking contest every time.
Value bet: Kopylov via KO/TKO
