Reigning UFC middleweight titleholder Robert Whittaker has been sidelined since withdrawing from a scheduled UFC 221 title defense bout against Luke Rockhold due to a series of injuries and illnesses.
Instead, Yoel Romero who took the bout on short notice and went on to knocks Luke Rockhold out with a brutal uppercut in their middleweight showdown at UFC 221 at Perth, Australia.
If you remember, Romero initially weighed in at 188.3 pounds (85.4kg) but was given two more hours to meet the 185-pound limit, however, when he returned he weighed in at 187.7. But unfortunately, Romero couldn’t claim the title due to missed weight.
Champ Robert Whittaker and Yoel Romero are scheduled to clash in the main headliner of UFC 225 on Sat., June 9. This fight marked the rematch from their UFC 213 showdown, where “The Reaper” won by unanimous decision.
Robert Whittaker who recently spoke on Submission Radio, where he said if “Soldier of God” misses weight at UFC 225, he wouldn’t fight him:(Quotes Via MMAMania)
“I don’t understand anyone who takes fights when their opponent doesn’t make weight. It’s like, if you rock up at 87 kilos, which is what Romero did – It was like 86 kilos or something like that – then why don’t I rock up at 95 (kgs)? What’s the difference? We’re both not making weight, we’re both not professional enough to do it, you know? And the weight cut is directly influential to the fight itself. I think not making weight is the most unprofessional thing you can do. It’s as bad as just not showing up for the fight itself. So, if you don’t make weight, I’m not fighting you. I’ll give the shot to someone else who can make the weight, who can do their freaking job.”
UFC 225 is set to go down on June 9, 2018, inside United Center in Chicago, Illinois, will also feature the heavyweight Alistair Overeem faces Curtis Blaydes. Moreover, Carla Esparza settles her strawweight grudge match against former title contender Claudia Gadelha.
Do you think this time Romero will manage to make weight? Who do you think will come out victorious?
