Yoel Romero defeated Luke Rockhold via knockout at UFC 221 after three rounds.
Full results
Interim Middleweight Title Bout: Yoel Romero def. Luke Rockhold via knockout (punches) 1:48, R3.
Heavyweight: Curtis Blaydes def. Mark Hunt via unanimous decision (30-26, 30-26, 29-27).
Heavyweight: Tai Tuivasa def. Cyril Asker via TKO (punches & elbows) 2:18, R1.
Welterweight: Jake Matthews def. Li Jingliang via unanimous decision (29-28, 30-26, 30-26).
Light Heavyweight: Tyson Pedro def. Saparbek Safarov via submission (kimura) 3:54, R1.
Lightweight: Dong Hyun Kim def. Damien Brown via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28).
Middleweight: Israel Adesanya def. Rob Wilkinson via TKO (knees & punches) 3:37, R2.
Featherweight: Alexander Volkanovski def. Jeremy Kennedy via TKO (punches & elbows) 4:57, R2.
Flyweight: Jussier Formiga def. Ben Nguyen via technical submission (rear-naked choke) 1:43, R3.
Lightweight: Ross Pearson def. Mizuto Hirota via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28).
Bantamweight: Jose Alberto Quinonez def. Teruto Ishihara via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28).
Welterweight: Luke Jumeau def. Daichi Abe via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 28-27).
Yoel Romero gets a second chance at UFC gold when he takes on former champion Luke Rockhold for the UFC Middleweight Championship. Join The Roar from 2pm (AEDT) for live commentary and round-by-round updates.
After Romero suffered a decisive decision loss against Robert Whittaker for the middleweight title, questions were raised about what the future held for the 40-year-old.
However, after Whittaker pulled out of UFC 221, he gets another chance at UFC gold and then, if he can get past Luke Rockhold, Whittaker.
Romero was in frightening form before his loss to Whittaker, winning eight in a row, including knockouts over former champions Lyoto Machida and Chris Weidman.
As for Rockhold, after losing the middleweight title in devastating fashion against Michael Bisping, injuries kept him on the shelf for over a year, before his come back, last September, to take on David Branch.
Octagon-rust wasn’t a thing for Rockhold, as he breezed past Branch to earn a second-round knockout and an opportunity to get the title back.
In the co-main event, Mark Hunt returns to the cage after a lengthy absence to take on Curtis Blaydes.
A rocky relationship with the UFC has kept Hunt out of action for the past 18 months, however he has a chance to prove he’s still one of the world’s best heavyweights and get back in the title picture.
Prediction
Romero is violent, explosive and has fantastic wrestling. However his lack of stamina was his downfall against Whittaker.
Rockhold is intelligent and technically gifted. However, he’s been known to get overconfident and leave his hands low, which is why both his UFC losses came via knockout – although they were both spectacular.
If Rockhold can stay on the outside and pick Romero apart, while keeping a fast pace, he’ll become a two-time champion and go on to face Robert Whittaker.
Luke Rockhold to defeat Yoel Romero via TKO in Round 4.
BigJ
Roar Guru
Those first two rounds of the main event was so basic and boring it was like watching to children fighting in the playground. I couldn’t watch the rest, but of course the second I left someone gets knocked out... that would be right. I think the Perth fans felt really cheated today. I know I did
Lroy
Guest
Rockhold is finished, knocked out 2 of his last 3 fights.. Romero couldnt even walk out of the cage..yet he managed to knock Luke out?? Sorry bud, your fighting the up and coming guys now, you wont get another title shot again, ..next time you will be older, slower and more conceited... Time to take up modelling full time bro, cage fighting is finished for you. ;-)
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
Thank you to everyone who joined me and The Roar for this live blog, we look forward to seeing you all again soon!
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
Main card Interim Middleweight Title Bout: Yoel Romero def. Luke Rockhold via knockout (punches) 1:48, R3 Heavyweight: Curtis Blaydes def. Mark Hunt via unanimous decision (30-26, 30-26, 29-27) Heavyweight: Tai Tuivasa def. Cyril Asker via TKO (punches & elbows) 2:18, R1 Welterweight: Jake Matthews def. Li Jingliang via unanimous decision (29-28, 30-26, 30-26) Light Heavyweight: Tyson Pedro def. Saparbek Safarov via submission (kimura) 3:54, R1 Prelims Lightweight: Dong Hyun Kim def. Damien Brown via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28) Middleweight: Israel Adesanya def. Rob Wilkinson via TKO (knees & punches) 3:37, R2 Featherweight: Alexander Volkanovski def. Jeremy Kennedy via TKO (punches & elbows) 4:57, R2 Flyweight: Jussier Formiga def. Ben Nguyen via technical submission (rear-naked choke) 1:43, R3 Early prelims Lightweight: Ross Pearson def. Mizuto Hirota via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28) Bantamweight: Jose Alberto Quinonez def. Teruto Ishihara via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28) Welterweight: Luke Jumeau def. Daichi Abe via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 28-27)
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
Here are the full results from the event
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
OFFICIAL DECISION: Yoel Romero def. Luke Rockhold via knockout (punches) 1:48, R3
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
#1 Yoel Romero vs #2 Luke Rockhold – ROUND 3/5 Third round is underway. This is where Romero has been known to slow down, but he looks like may have paced himself a little more than he usually does. They meet in the middle of the cage. Rockhold lands a jab. Two more jabs land for Rockhold. Leg kick lands for Rockhold. He is picking up the pace. Romero is looking to walk him down as Rockhold circles. Rockhold throwing jab after jab. Romero continues to stalk him. Romero goes to the body as Rockhold lands a jab. Romero lands a shot and Rockhold is down! Romero lands one more and Rockhold is out cold.
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
#1 Yoel Romero vs #2 Luke Rockhold – ROUND 2/5 Second round. Romero misses with a punch to the body and then hurts Rockhold with a combination. Rockhold is on the fence and grabs Romero's head, but Romero just cracks his body with several punches. Rockhold breaks away but Romero is still going after him. Rockhold survives and the pace of the game has slowed down. Rockhold misses with a high kick. Rockhold can't really land despite looking for several punches and kicks. Romero pushes forward and again and lands a good combination. Rockhold has been hit clean a few times this round. Rockhold looks for a kick and it grazes Romero. Rockhold lands to the body. Leg kick is checked by Romero. When Romero moves forward Rockhold tracks back quite far. Rockhold misses with a combination. Double-jab misses for Romero. Two good jabs land for Rockhold. Another one lands. Time. My score: 10-9 Romero Overall score: 19-19 (Draw)
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
#1 Yoel Romero vs #2 Luke Rockhold – ROUND 1/5 Round one of this half-title fight is underway. Rockhold can win the title, but as Romero missed weight, he cannot. They touch gloves. Romero checks a leg kick right away. Leg kick lands for Rockhold. Rockhold looks for the front kick. Romero very patient early on, keeping a high guard. Rockhold lands another leg kick. Rockhold's shin is cut after a checked leg kick. Rockhold lands a kick to the body. Overhand misses for Romero. A leg kick lands for Rockhold followed by a straight left. Romero has a leg kick checked and a head kick blocked. Another leg kick lands for Rockhold. Romero misses with an overhand. Rockhold attacks Romero's lead leg again, Romero responds with a leg kick of his own, before thinking about the flying knee. Romero lands a leg kick and Rockhold jumped back, and upon landing it looks like he hurt his knee. Could have just been an awkward landing. Romero lands a left hand before landing a kick. Romero is pushing forward now with hard strikes. Rockhold has two kicks blocked. Romero lands a good leg kick. Rockhold lands another leg kick followed by a jab. Inside leg kick lands for Rockhold. Rockhold looks for combinations to end the round, but barely lands. Time. My score: 10-9 Rockhold Overall score: 10-9 Rockhold
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
Just a reminder, only Luke Rockhold can become the interim middleweight champion, due to Yoel Romero missing weight. This is technically a 'catchweight' bout.
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
Octagon-rust wasn’t a thing for Rockhold, as he breezed past Branch to earn a second-round knockout and an opportunity to get the title back.
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
As for Rockhold, after losing the middleweight title in devastating fashion against Michael Bisping, injuries kept him on the shelf for over a year, before his come back, last September, to take on David Branch.
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
Romero was in frightening form before his loss to Whittaker, winning eight in a row, including knockouts over former champions Lyoto Machida and Chris Weidman.
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
However, after Whittaker pulled out of UFC 221, he got a second chance at UFC gold. But after missing weight - he can only win to get back in the title picture.
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
After Romero suffered a decisive decision loss against Robert Whittaker for the middleweight title, questions were raised about what the future held for the 40-year-old.
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
#1 Yoel Romero and #2 Luke Rockhold battle, but only Rockhold will be fighting for the Interim UFC Middleweight Championship after Romero missed weight.
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
It’s time for the main event!
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
OFFICIAL DECISION: Curtis Blaydes def. Mark Hunt via unanimous decision (30-26, 30-26, 29-27)
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
#5 Mark Hunt vs #9 Curtis Blaydes – ROUND 3/3 Third and final round is underway. Round one was close, round two clearly belongs to Blaydes. Blaydes comes out and shoots for the takedown right away and gets it. Hunt gets up and is slammed again right away for Blaydes' biggest takedown of the fight. Blaydes is in full mount as he looks to trap an arm. Blaydes lands shots on top. Hunt is not in a good place right now. Blaydes is looking for an Americana on the right arm, but Hunt gets out. Blaydes is in half-guard. Hunt gives up his back as he tries to get back to his feet but Blaydes stays heavy on top of him and continues to land shots on top. Hunt gets back up to his feet and Blaydes gets his seventh takedown. Hunt gets back up to his feet again and breaks the grip. Once again Blaydes gets him down and continues to land shots on top. Blaydes is in side control and Hunt is stuck against the fence. Hunt explodes and gets back up to his feet. They break for a second but then Blaydes takes Hunt down again. That's nine takedowns for Blaydes. Just 30 seconds left in the fight and Hunt has done nothing all round. Blaydes lands more shots while Hunt gets up before throwing him down to the mat for another takedown, that's 10 now. Blaydes lands big shots on top until the buzzer sounds. My score: 10-8 Blaydes Overall score: 30-26 Blaydes
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
#5 Mark Hunt vs #9 Curtis Blaydes – ROUND 2/3 Second round. Blaydes shoots right away, has it stuffed, looks for some punches and then grapples once again. Hunt is able to stay on his feet and gets double-underhooks before pushing off. Blaydes takes the middle of the cage and gets caught slightly by Hunt who nearly landed a massive uppercut clean on the counter. Blaydes misses with a straight right. Another straight right misses for Blaydes. Hunt is really patient, he knows he can catch Blaydes. Blaydes lands a leg kick and is really reluctant to get close to Hunt. Blaydes has a takedown attempt blocked, Hunt lands a good counter. Blaydes lands a jab before ducking Hunt's counter and taking him down. Blaydes in half-guard as Hunt fails to explode out of the position. Elbow lands on top for Blaydes. Blaydes isn't looking to pass from half-guard even though Hunt's legs are wide open. Crowd isn't happy, they want a stand up, but Blaydes is landing shots on top and doing just enough to be active. One minute left in round two. Blaydes lands more hard shots on top, Hunt gets an underhook but can't get back up to his feet. Time. My score: 10-9 Blaydes Overall score: 20-18 Blaydes