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USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
Sport
Matt Erickson and Ken Hathaway

Roman Kopylov hopes Sean Strickland stays champ so he eventually can answer Kopylov’s old callout

LAS VEGAS – Roman Kopylov beat Josh Fremd with a second-round TKO Saturday on the preliminary card at Noche UFC at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

Take a look inside the fight with Kopylov, who won for the fourth straight time, all by knockout.

Josh Fremd vs. Roman Kopylov

Roman Kopylov def. Josh Fremd, Noche UFC

Result: Roman Kopylov def. Josh Fremd via TKO (body punch) – Round 2, 4:44
Updated records: Kopylov (12-2 MMA, 4-2 UFC), Fremd (11-5 MMA, 2-3 UFC)
Key stats: Kopylov has 11 of his 12 wins by knockout.

Kopylov on the fight's key moment

Sep 16, 2023; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Josh Fremd (blue gloves) reacts after fighting Roman Kopylov (not pictured) during UFC Fight Night at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports

“He actually covered me in his own blood, as well. I could see that the blood was definitely a factor for him, so I was just waiting for the right moment to finish the fight. I think I landed a few liver kicks and then maybe a liver punch, as well, and even though he kept on alluding to the fact that they weren’t bothering him, I could see that his hands kept on going down. I knew that I needed to hunt the liver more and that I was going to finish with the liver.”

Kopylov on fan-friendly fights

Sep 16, 2023; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Roman Kopylov (red gloves) fights Josh Fremd (blue gloves) during UFC Fight Night at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports

“I’m very happy about it. I hope that all the fans are happy about it. I think all the UFC big wigs are happy about it, as well. That’s what we’re here for. We’re here to show exciting fights.”

Kopylov on what he wants next

Sean Strickland

“After my last fight, I threw, a challenge to Sean Strickland. Now he’s a champion. Hopefully he’ll stay champion by the time I get there so we can actually have that fight. … I’d like every fight a higher ranked opponent. My goal is to go for the title. If the promotion decides that (Roman Dolidze is) an interesting fight, then I would be happy to excite the fans with such a matchup.”

To hear more from Kopylov, check out the video of the full post-fight interview above.

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for Noche UFC.

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