Romero devastates Rockhold.
Saturday night, the self-proclaimed “Soldier Of God” Yoel Romero pulled out an impressive win over Luke Rockhold after stopping his opponent in only the third round of their match up, but didn’t walk away with a title.
It was in the interim middleweight fight, headlining UFC 221 in Perth, Austrialia that Romero (13-2) knocked out Rockhold (16-4) at the 1:48 mark of the third round, but his failure to make the 185-pound weight limit, going over by 2.7 pounds, meant he was ineligible for the title despite such an impressive showing. Originally, the card featured Luke Rockhold and the undisputed middleweight champion Robert Whittaker. However, an injury caused Whitaker to be bumped for Romero.
Yoel Romero with a wicked left hand to KO Luke Rockhold. The Soldier of God is next in line for Robert Whittaker. #UFC221 pic.twitter.com/K7PSDPUspE
— Ahmar Khan (@AhmarSKhan) February 11, 2018
“I’m so sorry for Robert Whittaker,” Romero said post-victory. “He is the guy, but this is the plan of God. Second, I’m so sorry for the weight cut. This was the first time in my career I could not get my body down. Rockhold is a very good athlete and an amazing fighter. … I’m very happy because I fight this time with the best.”
Following tonight’s fight, UFC President Dana White went on to confirm that Romero would get his chance in the Octagon against Whittaker again in a rematch of the two men’s fight of last July in which Romero suffered a loss by unanimous decision.
This now marks the fourth professional loss of Rockhold’s career. All four of these losses have come as a result of a knockout.
Well damn! Romero is a human buzz saw. That second punch was like a shotgun to the face. #UFC221
— Dan Hardy (@danhardymma) February 11, 2018
HOLY CRAP! @YoelRomeroMMA!!!!!! WOWOWOWOWOWOWOWOW! #UFC221
— Karyn Bryant (@KarynBryant) February 11, 2018
Left hook, followed by an uppercut. That was all she wrote. Rockhold was out. Wow. Although he missed weight I don't know how you don't give Yoel Romero the title fight. He just delivered a highlight reel knockout in a PPV main event. Gotta book Whittaker vs. Romero next. #UFC221
— Chamatkar Sandhu (@SandhuMMA) February 11, 2018
That follow up shot shook tectonic plates, holy hell #UFC221
— Nick Campton (@campo37) February 11, 2018
Yoel Romero ties Max Holloway and Randy Couture for the most third-round stoppage wins in UFC history (six). #UFC221
— Mike Bohn (@MikeBohn) February 11, 2018
