By FCF Staff

Roman Kopylov’s UFC resume to date doesn’t include a who’s who list of opponents like Paulo Costa’s. But, Michael Bisping believes the Russian middleweight will get by the longtime Brazilian contender at UFC 318.

Kopylov is booked to face Costa in the co-headliner of Saturday’s card, which is taking place in New Orleans, Louisiana. The fight will be the 34-year-old’s ninth in the Octagon. Since dropping his first two UFC bouts in 2019 and 2021, Kopylov has gone 6 and 1, and now sits in the number 14 ranking of the promotion’s middleweight ranks.

Recently, Bisping weighed in on the contest via his YouTube channel. While doing so, Bisping reflected on some of the recent struggles Costa has had in the Octagon, which include a split decision loss to Sean Strickland in June, 2024 (quotes via MMA Junkie.com).

“The reason he’s losing is because it seems like a mental block,” Bisping said. “In this fight, he’s got to bite down on his mouthpiece. He’s got to go at Roman Kopylov, because Kopylov is younger, he’s quicker, he’s taller, he’s on a roll, he’s got knockout power and he’s not afraid to mix it up.

“Against Sean Strickland, Costa just didn’t do enough. He allowed Strickland to control the fight with just the jab. Strickland didn’t really do much. It wasn’t exactly a barnburner of a fight, but Paulo Costa is his own worst enemy. Athletically, physically, he’s very gifted, but I think he’s lacking a little bit upstairs. I don’t mean that as an insult. I mean, there’s a mental disconnect. A sports psychologist would definitely help him.”

Bisping also reported that he believes Kopylov will have his hand raised at UFC 318.

“The man’s a finisher – he’s got 14 wins, 12 finishes, all by knockout. I’m not sure if he knocks out Paulo Costa, but I am very confident that he gets the job done.”

The 34-year-old Costa has gone 1 and 4 in his last outings, although the defeats have come against notable contenders of former champions. In addition to his aforementioned loss to Strickland, Costa has incurred defeats against Robert Whittaker, Marvin Vettori, and Israel Adesanya during that stretch.

“Borrachinha” is currently ranked #13 in the UFC’s middleweight division.