Overview

• The UFC 318 co-main event is set for July 20 in New Orleans, matching former title challenger Paulo Costa against surging contender Roman Kopylov.
• Costa enters with just one win in his last five fights, slipping to No. 13 in the middleweight division as he seeks to recapture his early knockout form.
• Kopylov has secured back-to-back finishes over Cesar Almeida and Chris Curtis and stands poised to break into the top 10 with another victory.
• Israel Adesanya has publicly offered Costa a rematch if he wins and has predicted Kopylov will prevail by decision.
• Oddsmakers list Kopylov as a −265 favorite versus Costa’s +200 underdog odds, reflecting the fighters’ contrasting momentum and preparations.