We are just a couple of weeks away from welcoming the new year, 2025. However, UFC head Dana White has already prepared a special New Year’s gift for fight fans. What is the gift, you ask? As 2025 kicks off, the UFC has set the stage for its first event of the year, UFC Vegas 101, also referred to as UFC on ESPN+ 107, scheduled to take place in the second week of January. The headline event promises to reignite an old rivalry between women’s strawweight stars Mackenzie Dern and Amanda Ribas.

However, the co-main event—a middleweight clash between Chris Curtis and Roman Kopylov—is shaping up to be the real show-stealer. Both fighters bring remarkably similar recent records, marked by ups and downs, sparking heated debates among fans over who will come out on top. Will Chris Curtis leverage his experience to outclass the rising Russian prospect Roman Kopylov, or will Kopylov’s precision and potential pave the way for victory?

To settle the anticipation, we’ve conducted a comprehensive analysis of their fighting styles, physical attributes, and recent performances. So, without further ado, let’s dive into what UFC Vegas 101 has in store!

Prediction, record, and stats comparison between Chris Curtis & Roman Kopylov

In the coming weeks, with no UFC events scheduled, fans might feel a drought in the action. However, UFC matchmakers have set up what fans are calling ‘Clone Wars’ for UFC Vegas 101 as 2025 begins. The middleweight clash between Chris Curtis and Roman Kopylov is drawing attention not only for their fighting skills but also for their strikingly similar facial features to other UFC stars. Chris Curtis is often compared to former heavyweight title challenger

Curtis Blaydes, while Roman Kopylov reminds fans of Chase Hooper.

Despite the fun comparisons, their career trajectories tell a different story. The 37-year-old Chris Curtis has seen a significant decline in his career graph since early 2022. Currently, Curtis has only two wins in his last six bouts, with his most recent loss coming earlier this year against Brendan Allen. This string of defeats raises questions—can Chris Curtis bounce back against the younger Roman Kopylov?

Interestingly, although both fighters joined the UFC at the same time, this matchup marks their 9th fight under the promotion. Kopylov had a rocky start, suffering back-to-back losses in his debut fights. However, the Russian prospect turned things around a year later, building an impressive four-fight win streak before suffering another setback. Yet, Kopylov has shown resilience and is now aiming to regain momentum and continue his climb in the division.

While Roman Kopylov’s record appears more favorable than Curtis’s recent performances, it’s worth noting that Curtis has faced tougher, more formidable opponents compared to Kopylov. As we analyze the records and stats of both middleweights, let’s dive deeper into other factors that could influence the outcome of their upcoming battle.

Curtis vs. Kopylov- age, height, walkaround weight, reach, and more

The upcoming fight between Chris Curtis and Roman Kopylov is not only a clash of two skilled middleweights but also a battle marked by an intriguing contrast in fighting styles—orthodox versus southpaw. While both fighters share the same reach of 75 inches, a closer look reveals that Curtis may be at a disadvantage in certain physical aspects. Standing at 5’10”, Curtis is slightly shorter than Kopylov, who holds a height advantage at 6’0″.

At 37 years old, Curtis is entering the twilight of his career, much like other older UFC stars such as Jon Jones, Conor McGregor, and Alex Pereira. Meanwhile, the 33-year-old Kopylov is in his prime and has the advantage of youth. As Rocky Balboa once said, “Time, it’s the most powerful force. You can’t beat it, not even Apollo. It’ll take everything from you if you let it… Every second counts.” However, despite Kopylov having the edge in terms of age and height, it’s far from over for Chris Curtis. Looking at the technical side, Curtis has impressive stats when it comes to striking—he lands more strikes per minute and has better strike defense compared to Kopylov.

The fight between these two formidable middleweights on January 11 is sure to be exciting. While Kopylov may be seen as the favorite right now, Curtis’ experience in MMA could make all the difference. It’s still too early to predict the outcome, so let’s wait for the event and stay tuned!