UFC 332 live blog: Ateba Gautier vs. Roman Kopylov

This is the UFC 332 live blog for Ateba Gautier vs. Roman Kopylov, the main card middleweight bout Saturday at Delta Center in Salt Lake City.

Gautier (11-1) is one of the brightest prospects at 185 pounds. The 24-year-old Cameroonian has developed a fearsome reputation for his knockout power, with four of his five UFC wins coming by way of KO/TKO. He is currently on a 10-fight win streak. After going to a decision against Andrey Pulyaev, Gautier got back to his finishing ways with a second-round knockout of Ozzy Diaz.

The more experienced Kopylov (15-5) has flirted with a top 15 ranking in the past, but is yet to string together the kind of run that would make him a true contender. He holds notable wins over Chris Curtis, Cesar Almeida, and Punahele Soriano, and is 7-5 in his UFC career thus far.

Check out the UFC 332 live blog for Ateba Gautier vs. Roman Kopylov below.

Six straight first-round finishes, and now Ateba Gautier is up to bat. Can he put away the resilient Roman Kopylov or is the crowd about to see just the second decision of the night?

Unsurprisingly, Gautier is a sizable favorite at -230, per FanDuel . Kopylov the underdog at +190.

OK, a bit of a break here as they promote the new NCIS spinoff… but hey, how about that LL Cool J?

Your referee for the main card opener is Marc Goddard.

Kopylov wisely keeping his distance, aiming to kick the leg and body and counter. Gautier doing what he can to press the action. Straight left from Kopylov catches Gautier. He's making Gautier fight his fight right now. Glancing left from Kopylov. Gautier starts targeting the body. He's throwing big rights, but they're not close to landing. Gautier kicks the body, Kopylov answers with a jab, then tags Gautier with that straight left again. Gautier looks shaky and Kopylov follows up with accurate strikes. He follows Gautier to the mat and lands hammerfists, Goddard watching the action closely before stepping in for the stoppage.