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In a dramatic turn of events at UFC Vegas 101, Roman Kopylov delivered a jaw-dropping last-second head-kick knockout against Chris Curtis. The electrifying finish, however, has been overshadowed by Curtis’s frustrations over what he deemed a premature stoppage by referee Mark Smith.
The decisive moment unfolded late in the third round. Kopylov, surging with momentum, unleashed a perfectly timed head kick that connected with Curtis's head, sending him crashing to the canvas. As Curtis struggled to regain his footing, Kopylov turned away, confident the fight was over. Referee Mark Smith waved off the bout just as the final horn sounded, leaving Curtis visibly upset.
Curtis, who rose to his feet moments after the stoppage, immediately voiced his displeasure. Despite his protests, the result was already in the books. “I think everything was correct,” Kopylov said post-fight, defending the referee’s decision.
“Everything was by the rules. I wanted to make sure he could come back and feed his family. It’s about sportsmanship, and it’s my right leg that feeds me.”
The bout was an engaging contest, with both middleweights trading powerful shots. Kopylov’s striking accuracy shone in the final round, where he consistently landed stiff punches that visibly hurt Curtis. Despite Curtis’s resilience, the head kick was the ultimate game-changer.
The victory marked a significant milestone for Kopylov, who has now won six of his last seven fights, five of them via knockout. Meanwhile, Curtis’s recent struggles continue, as this result moves him to 1-3 with one no-contest in his last five outings.
While the ending remains a topic of debate, there’s no denying the skill and precision behind Kopylov’s performance. The controversy, however, adds another layer of intrigue to this middleweight clash, leaving fans eager for what’s next in both fighters’ careers.
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