UFC 332: Ateba Gautier vs Roman Kopylov Preview & Prediction

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Super prospect, Ateba Gautier, faces the sternest test of his career as he takes on middleweight veteran, Roman Kopylov.

Ateba Gautier vs Roman Kopylov facts

What time are Ateba Gautier and Roman Kopylov expected to walk out? 4 October 2026 at 1:15 am

Where is UFC 332: Silva vs Wang? Delta Center, Salt Lake City, USA

Where can I get tickets for UFC 332: Silva vs Wang? Click here for the latest ticket information for UFC 332

What TV channel is UFC 332: Silva vs Wang on? UK – TNT Sports / USA – Paramount

Where can I stream UFC 332: Silva vs Wang? UK – TNT Sports can stream the event online via the TNT Sports website and HBO Max / USA – Paramount+ & UFC Fight Pass

UFC 332: Silva vs Wang main card (Paramount+ / CBS)

Natalia Silva vs Wang Cong (Women's Flyweight)

Deiveson Figueiredo vs Payton Talbott (Bantamweight)

King Green vs Esteban Ribovics (Lightweight)

Roberto Soldic vs Khaos Williams (Welterweight)

Ateba Gautier vs Roman Kopylov (Middleweight)

UFC 332: Silva vs Wang prelims (Paramount+)

Imanol Rodriguez vs Alden Coria (Flyweight)

Damian Pinas vs Andrey Pulyaev (Middleweight)

Marcus McGhee vs Bernardo Sopaj (Bantamweight)

Anthony Wint vs Lucas Armand (Heavyweight)

UFC 332: Silva vs Wang early prelims (Paramount+)

Johnny Walker vs Mick Parkin (Heavyweight)

Rafael dos Anjos vs Alexander Hernandez (Lightweight)

Marvin Vettori vs Ismail Naurdiev (Middleweight)

Jacobe Smith vs Bruce Whitehead (Welterweight)

Court McGee vs Eric Nolan (Welterweight)

Ateba Gautier: "The Storm" looks to prove he is legit and earn the biggest win of his career

Viewed by many as a potential future UFC title challenger, Ateba Gautier (11-1) looks like a UFC fighter made in a laboratory. Standing 6’4” with an 81” reach, Gautier is reminiscent of a middleweight Francis Ngannou, a physical powerhouse with devastating power in his hands. The 24 year old Cameroonian is 5-0 under the UFC banner with four finishes, most recently planishing Ozzy Diaz with a brutal KO at UFC 328. However, while he’s one of the most hyped prospects in the sport, “The Storm” has yet to face a highly regarded contender, with all of his finishes coming over fighters a long way outside the division’s Top 10.

Roman Kopylov: Will the Russian build on an impressive showing last time out?

Once touted as a dark horse contender at 185 pounds, Roman Kopylov (15-5) has settled into his role as one of the division’s gatekeepers. 7-5 since joining the promotion, the Russian lost his first two bouts in the promotion before reeling off four consecutive finishes to make people sit up and take notice. However, he’s 3-3 since that run, losing decisively whenever he’s been faced with the upper echelon of the division. At his best, Kopylov is a creative, southpaw striker with a superb kicking game, but he’s been prone to lapses in cardio and output when faced with heavy pressure.

Ateba Gautier vs Roman Kopylov prediction

This could finally be the fight where Gautier comes up short. He’s one of the promotion’s premiere can crushers; he has yet to face an opponent anywhere near the middleweight rankings and his stoppages have come over the bottom of the barrel at 185 pounds.

I’d argue that Kopylov is a better version of Andrey Pulyaev and “The Storm” had some serious problems against the Russian when the finish didn’t materialize. Kopylov is a very technical striker with  excellent kicks and looked superb against Marco Tulio last time out; I can envision a reality where he sticks and moves on the back foot to win a decision here.

However, Kopylov is also only fight removed from a stretch where he looked absolutely awful. The Russian was tentative and gun-shy against heavy hitting athletic powerhouses in the form of Paulo Costa and Gregory Rodrigues; something that bodes ill in the face of taking on a fighter like Gautier. “The Storm” is going to be the bigger man in the cage on Saturday night by a considerable stretch; he’s also ten years younger with a significant height, reach, and power advantage.

I think that this could look very similar to the Pulyaev fight, with Kopylov doing well in the striking exchanges and flustering Gautier in moments, before eventually losing a damage based decision or getting chinned in a wild exchange. The Russian is solid value as an underdog, but the pick is for Gautier to pick up the biggest win of his career to date.

Prediction: Ateba Gautier to win