Main card
Interim Middleweight Championship: Robert Whittaker def. Yoel Romero via unanimous decision (48-47, 48-47, 48-47) to become the new interim UFC middleweight champion.
Heavyweight: Alistair Overeem def. Fabricio Werdum via majority decision (28-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Heavyweight: Curtis Blaydes def. Daniel Omielanczuk via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Lightweight: Anthony Pettis def. Jim Miller via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Bantamweight: 1Rob Font def. Douglas Silva de Andrade via submission (guillotine choke) 4:32, R2
Prelims
Heavyweight: Aleksi Olenik def. Travis Browne via submission (rear-naked choke) 3:44, R2
Welterweight: Chad Laprise def. Brian Camozzi via TKO (punches) 1:27, R3
Middleweight: Thiago Santos def. Gerald Meerschaert via TKO (punches) 2:04, R2
Welterweight: Belal Muhammad def. Jordan Mein via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
Early prelims
Featherweight: Cody Stamann def. Terrion Ware via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
Light Heavyweight: Trevin Giles def. James Bochnovic via knockout (punches) 2:54, R2
No.1 Yoel Romero battles Australia’s No.3 Robert Whittaker for the Interim-Middleweight championship. Join The Roar from 12pm AEST for this incredible UFC card.
Since his one loss in 2011, Yoel Romero has proven to be one of the scariest fighters in the world. At 40 years old Romero is a physical freak and moves like a man twice as young.
Riding an eight-fight win streak, Romero boasts dominant and brutal wins over the likes of Lyoto Machida and the recently retired Tim Kennedy.
In his last bout Romero knocked former-champion No.6 Chris Weidman out cold with a flying knee. Romero is finally within touching distance of UFC gold.
Standing in his way is another man who has surprised the mixed martial arts world in his climb to the top, Australia’s Robert Whittaker.
Riding a seven-fight win streak, Whittaker has managed to stay active these past three years and rack up one of the most impressive run of wins in the UFC.
Despite opening up as an underdog for many of his fights, Whittaker has managed to go on to defeat the likes of Uriah Hall, Rafael Natal and Derek Brunson in one of the most incredible fights in UFC history.
However, no win was more impressive than his last, where Whittaker dominated No.5 Ronaldo ‘Jacare’ Souza before knocking him out in the second round.
This time around, Whittaker has found his himself as the betting favourite against Romero.
Predictions
Yoel Romero is an incredible wrestler and is incredibly explosive, however Robert Whittaker knows how to weather a storm and has the ability to overwhelm anyone when striking. Whittaker may not look as good as Romero, but he is in much better shape. Romero is known to gas out in the third round and this is set for five. If Whittaker can drag him into deep water, he can get the finish.
Robert Whittaker via TKO in round four
William Dalton Davis
Roar Rookie
Fantastic by reaper. Fought through the pain and dominated 3 4 and 5. Now it's time to drink throughout the day in cairns and make a fool of myself.
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
Thank you to everyone who joined The Roar for this live blog, we look forward to seeing you all again soon!
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
Australia has it's first UFC champion!
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
THE OFFICIAL DECISION: Robert Whittaker def. Yoel Romero via unanimous decision (48-47, 48-47, 48-47) to become the new interim UFC middleweight champion
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
Australia could very well have it's first UFC champion. Albeit an interim title.
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
#1 Yoel Romero vs #3 Robert Whittaker – ROUND 5/5 Fifth and final round is underway. Romero looks very tired, and Whittaker's coaches are telling him to finish with strikes. They touch gloves in the middle. Whittaker comes out quickly and lands a good shot. Romero lands one of his own. Whittaker lands some good shots as Romero comes in. Romero hurts Whittaker and Whittaker is forced to retreat. Both men land shots. Both men are throwing heavy strikes but Romero is much more tired. Whittaker lands a kick to the body. Both men seem to be head hunting. Left hand lands for Romero. Whittaker lands a front kick. Whittaker flies with a kick and Romero lands a counter. Whittaker lands to the body and Romero lands a combination. Both men are exchanging hard shots. Right hand lands for Whittaker, Romero responds. Whittaker lands another front kick to the body. Both men land on the exchange. Both men miss. Romero slips and Whittaker ends up on top of Romero in Romero's guard. Whittaker looks for an elbow on top. Whittaker is looking to land shots on top and Romero doesn't seem to be looking to try and get up. Whittaker gets to half guard and lands some hard elbows on top. Time. My score: 10-9 Whittaker Overall score: 48-47 Whittaker
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
#1 Yoel Romero vs #3 Robert Whittaker – ROUND 4/5 The first of a possible two championship rounds are underway. They touch gloves. Whittaker lands a front kick. Romero is looking like he is waiting to explode. Whittaker lands a body kick that gets Romero thinking. Romero shoots for a takedown and is trying hard to pull him down. Whittaker defends well and moves towards the fence. Romero still has a hold of Whittaker and is landing some hard knees. Whittaker manages to get out of the grip and land a knee to the body. Whittaker is bouncing around and his knee buckles. That is not good. Romero has a takedown stuffed. Big knee to the body lands for Romero. Whittaker misses with a front kick. Whittaker pushes forward with a one-two. Whittaker lands a kick followed by a hard left hand. Whittaker lands a push kick and just misses with a huge uppercut. Another front kick just lands for Whittaker. Left hand over the top lands for Whittaker. Romero has another takedown stuffed. Whittaker stuns Romero with a right hand and Romero drops down to one knee. Romero is tired and he is having his takedowns stuffed. Whittaker continues to push forward. Time. Excellent round for Whittaker. My score: 10-9 Whittaker Overall score: 38-38 (Draw)
Vinnie
Guest
That felt like a 10-8 round to Whittaker
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
#1 Yoel Romero vs #3 Robert Whittaker – ROUND 3/5 They meet in the middle of the cage. Whittaker is looking for front kicks and Romero is circling well. Romero has some loose tape so they are cutting it. The action is back on. They clinch and Whittaker pushes him off. Whittaker is landing some good shots moving forward. Whittaker lands some good shots and Romero is stunned. Whittaker lands a head kick and Romero has been forced to circle. Good push kick lands for Whittaker, followed by a right high kick. Whittaker is really putting the pressure on Romero. Whittaker lands a jab. Whittaker is fighting much more clever in the third round. This round has been all Whittaker thus far. Whittaker lands a good combination. Good one-two lands for Whittaker. Side kick lands to the body for Whittaker. Whittaker lands a left hand to the body. Time. Great round for Whittaker, who ends the round in complete control. My score: 10-9 Whittaker Overall score: 29-28 Romero
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
#1 Yoel Romero vs #3 Robert Whittaker – ROUND 2/5 They touch gloves. Whittaker looks like he injured his left leg and he is moving gingerly. Romero is landing some good counters. Whittaker pushes forward but can't seem to land. Both men collide moving forward and Romero lands a knee to the body. Romero gets a good take down. Whittaker closes his guard and Romero is landing short shots on top. Whittaker gives up his back but gets back up to his feet and walks towards the fence so Romero can't take him down. Whittaker turns but Romero is controlling the clinch as he has Whittaker on the fence. Romero trips Whittaker but Whittaker gets right back up to his feet. Whittaker lands a knee to the body with his back on the fence. Both men land knees. The referee forces the break as there was not much action happening. Whittaker lands a kick followed by a hard hook. Romero lands one of his own in the exchange and puts Whittaker on the fence. The round ends with Romero on top after a takedown right on the buzzer My score: 10-9 Romero Overall score: 20-18 Romero
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
#1 Yoel Romero vs #3 Robert Whittaker – ROUND 1/5 Round one of a possible five underway. They touch gloves and Romero takes the centre of the cage. Whittaker pushes forward and takes the centre of the cage. Romero looks for some dynamic strikes early. Whittaker looks for some strikes but misses the combination. Romero drops Whittaker with a leg kick for a second. Romero lands a body kick and Whittaker counters well with a straight. Whittaker jabs. Romero misses with a hook kick and Whittaker misses with a counter. Romero gets a big takedown but Whittaker does well to scramble and get back up to his feet. Romero looks for a flying knee but misses, then looks for a takedown but Whittaker defends very well. Romero has Whittaker on the fence but eventually Whittaker breaks away. Romero lads a leg kick. Whittaker lands a push kick. Whittaker looks for a front kick to the body, that just grazes. Romero looks for another takedown but Whittaker defends well and lands a knee on the break. Romero lands an inside leg kick, Whittaker just lands a head kick to end round one. Close round. My score: 10-9 Romero Overall score: 10-9 Romero
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
This time around, Whittaker has found his himself as the betting favourite against Romero.
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
However, no win was more impressive than his last, where Whittaker dominated No.5 Ronaldo ‘Jacare’ Souza before knocking him out in the second round.
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
Despite opening up as an underdog for many of his fights, Whittaker has managed to go on to defeat the likes of Uriah Hall, Rafael Natal and Derek Brunson in one of the most incredible fights in UFC history.
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
Riding a seven-fight win streak, Whittaker has managed to stay active these past three years and rack up one of the most impressive run of wins in the UFC.
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
Standing in his way is another man who has surprised the mixed martial arts world in his climb to the top, Australia’s Robert Whittaker.
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
In his last bout Romero knocked former-champion No.6 Chris Weidman out cold with a flying knee. Romero is finally within touching distance of UFC gold.
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
Riding an eight-fight win streak, Romero boasts dominant and brutal wins over the likes of Lyoto Machida and the recently retired Tim Kennedy.
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
Since his one loss in 2011, Yoel Romero has proven to be one of the scariest fighters in the world. At 40 years old Romero is a physical freak and moves like a man twice as young.
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
#1 Yoel Romero takes on Aussie #3 Robert Whittaker for the the interim UFC middleweight title. The winner will face champion Michael Bisping in a unification bout!