Middleweight · Main card · UFC 318: Holloway vs. Poirier 3
FINAL: Paulo Costa by U-DEC
Paulo Costa
Age 34 · Elo 1606
LLWLL
517 days since last fight
vs
Roman Kopylov
Age 34 · Elo 1548
WLWWW
188 days since last fight
Who wins, by source
Paulo CostaRoman Kopylov
Each row splits one source's view of the fight. The dashed line is even odds. Where the models sit further from the market, they are claiming an edge.
Tale of the tape
Paulo CostaRoman Kopylov
Career UFC averages. Bars are scaled within each row, so compare left against right, not row against row. The stronger side is highlighted, and for strikes absorbed the lower number is the better one.
How it ends
KO/TKOSubmissionDecision
Each model's split across the ways this fight can finish, out of 100.
The analysis
Claude
Roman Kopylov by KO/TKO, 62% confidence
Kopylov's superior form (4-1 with 2 KOs) contrasts sharply with Costa's 1-4 slide. Despite Costa's volume edge (6.22 vs 4.33 SLPM), Kopylov's better defense (58% vs 49%), superior takedown defense (87% vs 80%), and southpaw stance advantage are decisive. Costa's -0.34 strike differential and poor recent durability make him vulnerable to Kopylov's power.
GPT
Paulo Costa by KO/TKO, 66% confidence
Costa brings superior power, higher striking volume, and a proven record against elite competition. While Kopylov is defensively sound and mixes in takedowns more often, Costa's pressure, physicality, and finishing ability are likely to overwhelm Kopylov in extended exchanges. Kopylov's takedown game is unlikely to be a major factor given Costa's stout 80% takedown defense.