César Almeida is frustrated by falls and loses his unbeaten record at UFC 302

Cesar Almeida (left) fighting in UFC 302. Photo: Reproduction/X

The Brazilian Cesar Almeida suffered his first defeat in professional MMA. Inserted in the fight that closed the preliminary card of the UFC 302, held this Saturday (1), in Newark (USA), the São Paulo native was the victim of falls from Roman Kopylov and was unable to present his best version. After three rounds, the Russian was declared the winner in a split decision by the judges.

With the defeat, Almeida momentarily interrupts his rise in middleweight (up to 83,9kg). The stumble also ends the athlete's series of five victories in the sport.

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Lament on one side, joy on the other. The triumph makes Kopylov recover from the setback he suffered against Alexander Hernandez in February 2024.

Russian rule

The fight started with Almeida taking the initiative with a sequence of low kicks. Kopylov scared the Brazilian with a cross in the first minute. César was aggressive and walked towards his opponent, trying to corner him close to the bars. With a minute gone, the Brazilian received two clean direct shots to the face. Roman adopted caution and avoided being surprised in a counterattack. Close to the middle of the stage, Kopylov tried to take advantage of the good moment and managed a fall over the Brazilian. Almeida managed to stay on his feet and Kopylov chose to walk away. The advantage in striking belonged to Roman. Near the final minute, César went to the canvas after receiving another direct shot from his opponent. Roman allowed the Brazilian to stand and continued the punishment of the Brazilian. At the end of the fight, Kopylov managed another takedown and increased his control over the São Paulo native.

In the second round, Almeida once again bet on low kicks. Kopylov responded with a high kick, which exploded in the Brazilian's guard. Still in the first minute, a new direct shot from Roman landed squarely in the São Paulo native's face. Next, it was Almeida's turn to rock his opponent, with a straight shot. César applied another cross. Now, at a disadvantage, Roman attempted a takedown, but the Brazilian defended himself. Halfway through the round, César managed to pull away. The athletes began to exchange powerful attacks in the center of the Octagon. The Brazilian was in the challenge, but ended up being knocked down by Kopylov afterwards. In the final minute, Almeida struggled to stay on his feet, but was frustrated by his opponent.

In the third round, Kopylov threatened a takedown in the opening seconds. The Brazilian managed to defend himself and scored with hard-hitting attacks. A straight shot from the São Paulo player rocked Roman. The Russian then managed to take down and managed the result again. Halfway through the round, Kopylov didn't make any injuries and just avoided the Tupiniquim's reaction. Near the final minute, the referee forced the athletes to stand. César went up and looked for the knockout. Again, Roman managed to get the takedown.

UFC 302 results

MAIN CARD

Light weight (up to 70,3 kg): Islam makhachev finished Dustin poirier with a guillotine at 2m42s of R5 – fight for the belt

Average weight (up to 83,9 kg): Sean Strickland derrotou Paulo borrachinha in the judges' split decision (49-46, 50-45, 49-46)

Welterweight (up to 77,1 kg): Kevin holland finished Michal Oleksiejczuk with an armbar at 1m34s of R1

Welterweight (up to 77,1 kg): Niko Price derrotou alex morono in the decision of the judges (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

Welterweight (up to 77,1 kg): Randy Brown derrotou Elizeu Capoeira in the unanimous decision of the judges (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

PRELIMINARY CARD

Average weight (up to 83,9 kg): Roman Kopylov derrotou Cesar Almeida in the judges' split decision (29-28, 28-29. 30-27)

Heavy weight (up to 120,2 kg): Jailton Malhadinho finished Alexander Romanov with a rear naked choke at 2m27s of R1

Light weight (up to 70,3 kg): Grant dawson derrotou Joe Solecki in the unanimous decision of the judges (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)

Welterweight (up to 77,1 kg): Jake matthews derrotou Phil Rowe in the unanimous decision of the judges (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)

Welterweight (up to 77,1 kg): Bassil Hafez derrotou Mickey gall in the unanimous decision of the judges (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)

Bantam weight (up to 61,2 kg): Ailin Perez derrotou Joselyne Edwards in the unanimous decision of the judges (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)

Flyweight (up to 56,7 kg): Andre Lima derrotou Mitch Raposo in the judges' split decision (30-27, 28-29, 30-27)

UFC 302 Stats