UFC middleweight contender Yoel Romero missed weight for a title fight against Robert Whittaker this Friday morning, came in at 186 pounds on his first attempt, over championship limit. The Illinois State Athletic Commission granted him extra two-hours to shed that pound, but “Soldier of God” came up short at 185.2 pounds.
Despite the scale failure, both fighters appeared at the ceremonial weigh-ins and faced off later on Friday.
MAIN EVENT. REMATCH.
Let's run it back as @RobWhittakerMMA takes on @YoelRomeroMMA at #UFC225. pic.twitter.com/jOjb2M87Jk
— UFC (@ufc) June 8, 2018
Later UFC president Dana White confirms with Fox Sports 1 that fight will continue as it is, but it will be a non-title bout. Romero becomes the first fighter in UFC history to failed weight for a championship fight on multiple occasions. Romero unable to win the title whether he wins or loses.
Dana White announces on the #UFC225 weigh-in broadcast: "The fight's on, that's all that matters."
— Mike Bohn (@MikeBohn) June 8, 2018
Champion Whittaker, who already defeated Romero via decision in their first meeting at UFC 213 to earn the interim title (later crowned the undisputed champion), wants to finish “Soldier of God” and prove that he is the best middleweight on the planet.
Whittaker’s manager Titus Day caught up with MMAFighting’s Ariel Helwani earlier today to discuss the situation:
Robert Whittaker is willing to fight Yoel Romero tomorrow in a non-title bout (it can’t be for belt bc YR missed weight), his mgr Titus Day tells me. It’s up to YR at this point and his team. “Rob is here to finish Romero and show he’s the best in the world,” Day said. “Period.”
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) June 8, 2018
I’m also told Whittaker hasn’t asked for a weight cap or held this up at all. “Rob doesn’t care about that,” his manager Titus Day added. “He wants to fight Romero at his best so there can be no doubters.”
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) June 8, 2018
More from Day: “Rob is the consummate professional, mate, and so are his coaches. His weight cut last night and two hours after the weigh-in he was back to full fighting weight and feeling great. He’s left no stone unturned for this and wants to win.”
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) June 8, 2018
Who do you think between them will come out victorious?