Anthony Hernandez vs. Roman Kopylov: Preview, Where to Watch and Betting Odds

Streaking middleweights Anthony Hernandez and Roman Kopylov open the main card at UFC 298. Both fighters are on a four-fight winning run, with the Russian Kopylov replacing injured countryman Ikram Aliskerov on the card. With Anthony Hernandez ranked at number fifteen in the 185-pound class and Kopylov knocking at the door, the bout could impact the lower rungs of the Middleweight rankings.

MMA: UFC Middleweight  

Venue: Honda Center, Anaheim, California

Where to watch: PPV

Date: 18.02.2024. 06:00

The California-born fighter scored a huge upset over Rodolfo Vieira to win a Performance of the Night bonus award and several submissions of the year accolades from MMA publications. The win launched “Fluffy” on a run that has culminated in a 4-0 streak and into the rankings. The former LFA middleweight champ fights with a relentless pace that wears down opponents.

• Age: 30
• Height: 6’ 0’’
• Reach: 75”
• Weight: 185 Ibs (84kg)
• Record: 11-2-1 (NC)

After a difficult start to his UFC career, the former FNG middleweight champion came good in his third start when he stopped Alessio Di Chirico in September 2022 for his first win. Spurred on, Roman Kopylov won two more Performance of the Night awards in his next three fights. The 32-year-old Southpaw fights out of Novosibirsk and is a five-time world champion in hand-to-hand combat sambo. In the Octagon, he uses his skills to punish opponents and comes into the fight off the back of four consecutive KO’s.

• Age: 32
• Height: 6’ 0’’
• Reach: 75”
• Weight: 185 Ibs (84kg)
• Record: 12-2

Roman Kopylov is a 2.736 underdog on 1XBET, which prices total over 1.5 at 1.645. Betwinner lists Anthony Hernandez to win by submission at 1.909 and Yes for the fight to go the distance at 2.85. Roman Kopylov by KO/TKO is 4.75 odds on Bet365, with the total under 1.5 available at 2.15.