UFC 322: Roman Kopylov vs Gregory Rodrigues Preview & Prediction
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Roman Kopylov vs Gregory Rodrigues set for explosive middleweight showdown up the prelims at UFC 322.
Roman Kopylov vs Gregory Rodrigues facts
What time are Roman Kopylov and Gregory Rodrigues expected to walk out?
Where is UFC 322: Della Maddalena vs Makhachev? Madison Square Garden, New York, USA
Where can I get tickets for UFC 322: Della Maddalena vs Makhachev? Click here for the latest ticket information for UFC 322
What TV channel is UFC 322: Della Maddalena vs Makhachev on? UK – TNT Sports / USA – ESPN+
Where can I stream UFC 322: Della Maddalena vs Makhachev? UK – TNT Sports subscribers can stream the event online via the TNT Sports website and discovery+ / USA – ESPN+ & UFC Fight Pass
UFC 322: Della Maddalena vs Makhachev main card
Jack Della Maddalena vs Islam Makhachev (Welterweight)
Valentina Shevchenko vs Zhang Weili (Women’s Flyweight)
Sean Brady vs Michael Morales (Welterweight)
Leon Edwards vs Carlos Prates (Welterweight)
Beneil Dariush vs Benoit Saint Denis (Lightweight)
UFC 322: Della Maddalena vs Makhachev prelims
Bo Nickal vs Rodolfo Vieira (Middleweight)
Roman Kopylov vs Gregory Rodrigues (Middleweight)
Erin Blanchfield vs Tracy Cortez (Women’s Flyweight)
Malcolm Wellmaker vs Ethyn Ewing (Featherweight)
Kyle Daukaus vs Gerald Meerschaert (Middleweight)
Pat Sabatini vs Chepe Mariscal (Featherweight)
Angela Hill vs Fatima Kline (Women’s Strawweight)
Baisangur Susurkaev vs Eric McConico (Middleweight)
Viacheslav Borshchev vs Matheus Camilo (Lightweight)
Roman Kopylov: Technical kicker seeking rebound after setback
Roman Kopylov (14-4) returns to UFC 322 aiming to reassert himself as one of the more polished and dangerous technicians in the middleweight division. The Russian striker built momentum with a four-fight finishing streak, showcasing sharp shot selection, a vicious kicking arsenal, and a balanced approach that mixed patience with sudden explosiveness. However, his run stalled in his most recent outing, where he struggled against a higher-caliber opponent who pressured him, exploited his defensive tendencies, and prevented him from finding his rhythm. At 34, Kopylov remains a clean, composed kickboxer with some of the best body kicking in the division, but questions around his ability to handle forward pressure and sustained exchanges persist.
Despite those concerns, Kopylov’s skill set remains extremely dangerous when he’s operating at his preferred pace. He thrives when he’s given space to work, using feints and a sniping rear-leg kick to break opponents down over time. His finishing instincts are elite when he hurts an opponent, and his cardio has historically allowed him to build as fights progress. The matchup with Rodrigues, however, forces him into a style clash that has been difficult for him in the past — dealing with a bigger, more explosive marauder who will walk him down from the opening bell. If Kopylov can maintain range and avoid early chaos, his technique could turn the tide, but that requires near-perfect discipline.
Gregory Rodrigues: Devastating power puncher pushing toward rankings
Gregory “Robocop” Rodrigues (17-6) enters UFC 322 as one of the most feared powerhouses at 185 pounds. A massive middleweight with freak athleticism, Rodrigues carries fight-ending danger in every exchange, walking opponents down behind thudding combinations and overwhelming physicality. His 14 finishes — including 10 by knockout — underscore just how quickly he can flip a fight with a single clean shot. While his style can be reckless, his durability, strength, and imposing forward pressure make him a uniquely daunting opponent for anyone who prefers striking at distance. Rodrigues is also a black belt with a strong grappling base, giving him an additional layer of threat in close quarters.
Recently, Rodrigues has shown some evolution in fight IQ, choosing better moments to explode and mixing in the occasional takedown to keep opponents guessing. His vicious left hook knockout of Jack Hermansson earlier this year was a reminder that he’s not only powerful but creative and capable of striking setups beyond pure brawling. The main knock on Rodrigues remains his defensive lapses — he’s been dropped multiple times in his UFC tenure — but his ability to recover and fight back with even more aggression has turned him into a fan favorite and a nightmare matchup for more measured technicians. Against someone like Kopylov, Rodrigues’ pressure and raw athleticism provide a clear stylistic advantage if he can force exchanges early.
Roman Kopylov vs Gregory Rodrigues prediction
This matchup features a classic striker-versus-pressure-puncher dynamic, with Kopylov bringing precision and structure while Rodrigues brings chaos and raw horsepower. Kopylov’s best path is clear: work behind teeps and body kicks, punish Rodrigues' forward movement, and maintain clean footwork to avoid exchanges in the pocket. If he can manage distance consistently, he has the cleaner technique and the more efficient striking over three rounds. However, that approach requires him to withstand or completely avoid the early storms Rodrigues inevitably brings — an area where Kopylov has historically struggled.
On the other hand, Rodrigues’ ability to crash forward, bully the center of the cage, and turn fights into gritty, violent exchanges creates enormous problems for a kicker who needs space. Kopylov’s documented issues with pressure, coupled with Rodrigues’ power and size, tilt this matchup heavily in the Brazilian’s favor. Even if Kopylov finds early success at range, Rodrigues only needs one clean moment to break the fight open. Add in the grappling upside and the willingness to take risks, and the momentum appears to shift firmly toward "Robocop."
Prediction: Gregory Rodrigues to win
