UFC 332: Silva vs. Wang continues on the main card with a fight between Ateba Gautier and Roman Kopylov in the middleweight division. Check out our UFC 332 odds series for our Gautier-Kopylov prediction and pick.
Ateba Gautier (11-1) enters UFC 332 on a five-fight winning streak. He most recently stopped Ozzy Diaz with second-round punches in May, following a unanimous-decision win over Andrey Pulyaev in January, as he comes into his fight this weekend against Roman Kopylov.
Roman Kopylov (15-5) enters UFC 332 after rebounding with a unanimous-decision win over Marco Tulio in May. Before that, he dropped back-to-back decisions to Gregory Rodrigues and Paulo Costa, but he remains a proven finisher with 12 career knockouts as he comes into his fight this weekend against Ateba Gautier.
UFC 332 Odds, courtesy of DraftKings.
UFC 332 Odds: Ateba Gautier-Roman Kopylov Odds
Ateba Gautier: -250
Roman Kopylov: +205
Over 1.5 Rounds: -175
Under 1.5 Rounds: +135
Watch sports LIVE with fuboTV (free trial)Why Ateba Gautier Will Win
Ateba Gautier should beat Roman Kopylov because his combination of athleticism, size, and recent finishing form gives him the more dangerous offensive profile. The 24-year-old is 11-1 and unbeaten through five UFC appearances, stopping four opponents along the way.
Gautier has produced three first-round knockouts during that UFC run and most recently stopped Ozzy Diaz in the second round. That early finishing ability matters against Kopylov, who has shown vulnerability when opponents can pressure him with speed and volume.
The technical key is keeping Kopylov from setting his feet as a southpaw counter striker. Gautier should use his length to fire straight punches, mix in kicks, and exit at angles rather than standing in front of Kopylov’s left hand.
Kopylov carries the greater experience edge and has faced more established UFC competition, so Gautier cannot simply chase a spectacular finish. He must pressure in bursts, keep his guard disciplined, and make Kopylov defend combinations without creating easy countering lanes.
Why Roman Kopylov Will Win
Article Continues BelowRoman Kopylov can beat Ateba Gautier by weathering the early danger and exploiting the experience gap as the fight develops. Gautier is 11-1 and unbeaten in five UFC appearances, but Kopylov has already faced ranked, durable opponents in far more demanding UFC matchups.
Kopylov’s power makes him a live threat throughout, with 12 of his 15 wins coming by knockout. He also lands 4.54 significant strikes per minute at 50 percent accuracy, giving him a slight edge in both volume and precision over Gautier’s 4.32 landed at 43 percent.
The main challenge is solving Gautier’s six-inch reach advantage without walking into counters. Kopylov should use layered combinations, low kicks, and angle changes to get inside, then exit before Gautier can return fire down the center.
Gautier’s explosive start is his most dangerous weapon, particularly after four stoppages in five UFC fights. Still, Kopylov’s deeper sample against stronger competition should help him stay calm, survive the opening exchanges, and force the younger fighter into rounds where patience matters more than raw athleticism.
Kopylov also has enough takedown ability to change the rhythm if Gautier begins loading up on long strikes. A few successful clinch exchanges could drain Gautier’s energy and create openings for Kopylov’s southpaw left hand.
Final Ateba Gautier-Roman Kopylov Prediction & Pick
Ateba Gautier is my pick to beat Roman Kopylov by second-round TKO at UFC 332. His size, athleticism, and current five-fight winning streak make him the more compelling choice in this volatile middleweight matchup.
Kopylov’s experience and southpaw counterstriking create a serious threat, especially if Gautier rushes into the pocket. Gautier must use his six-inch reach advantage to land straight shots and kicks without lingering in range for Kopylov’s left hand.
I expect Kopylov to find success in the opening round by making Gautier reset and respect his counters. However, Gautier’s faster combinations and physical strength should become more influential once he establishes his preferred range.
The betting market supports Gautier, listing him at -235 at FanDuel, while prediction-market pricing gives him roughly a 66 percent chance to win. Those numbers fit the form-based case, though they do not eliminate Kopylov’s upset potential.
Ultimately, I expect Gautier to pressure patiently before landing the cleaner power shots in Round 2. His athletic upside makes the difference.
Final Ateba Gautier-Roman Kopylov Prediction & Pick: Ateba Gautier (-250) OVER 1.5 Rounds (-175)