'Terrible stoppage': Pros react to Roman Kopylov's buzzer-beating knockout of Chris Curtis at UFC Vegas 101
01/11/2025 08:41 PM
Roman Kopylov is now just the second fighter ever to finish Chris Curtis via strikes, though the finish was not without controversy.
The middleweights threw down on the UFC Vegas 101 main card, with Kopylov taking it to the 43-fight veteran even as Curtis bloodied Kopylov up with precision strikes. As the third round came to a close, it looked like it was still anybody's fight until Kopylov landed a head kick around Curtis' defenses that staggered "The Action Man." With one second left on the clock, referee Mark Smith stepped in to wave off the bout.
It was an impressive performance from Kopylov, one that might have been overshadowed by the controversy surrounding the timing of the stoppage. Several fighters took to Twitter to question Smith's decision, including former UFC light heavyweight champion Jamahal Hill, who was seated cageside at UFC APEX.
"You don't call that terrible stoppage," Hill wrote.
See more fighter reactions from social media below.
You don't call that terrible stoppage!!!
— Jamahal Hill (@JamahalH) January 12, 2025
1 second left, no follow up shot, and he was getting up..... WHYD HE STOP THE FIGHT?! Horrible stoppage!! Let it go to the score cards. #UFCFightNight
— Corey 'Overtime' Anderson (@CoreyA_MMA) January 12, 2025
I'm actually disgusted with that...
— Mike "Beast Boy" Davis (@MikeDavisMMA) January 12, 2025
He wasn't in danger at all since Kopylov was walking away AND... HE WAS GETTING UP!
REALLY bad call there.
Common Kopylov W. Nice change up with the wrestling at the end and a hell of a finish #UFCVegas101
— Chase Hooper (@chase_hooper) January 12, 2025
Right as the round is ending. I'll let others debate if it was a good stoppage or not. Fun fight #UFCVegas101
— Jillian DeCoursey (@lionheartjill) January 12, 2025
One second left ♂️
— Terrance McKinney (@twrecks155) January 12, 2025
Bruh ain't no way Curtis has every rt to be pissed smh
— Terrance McKinney (@twrecks155) January 12, 2025
Woow no way it was the leg I think that collapsed
— Belal Muhammad (@bullyb170) January 12, 2025
Fight was gonna be a Kopylov win regardless of stoppage imo. Kopylov was gonna win that 3rd round but Curtis is tough as nails per usual. That was a banger.
— Kenny Florian (@kennyflorian) January 12, 2025
That was a great fight though
— Sodiq Yusuff (@Super_Sodiq) January 12, 2025
Awesome fight! #UFCVegas101
— Alan Jouban (@AlanJouban) January 12, 2025
