Main card
Middleweight (Non-Title): Robert Whittaker def. Yoel Romero via split decision (48-47, 47-48, 48-47).
Interim Welterweight Championship: Colby Covington def. Rafael dos Anjos via unanimous decision (49-46, 48-47, 48-47) to become the new UFC Interim-Welterweight Championship
Women’s Featherweight: Holly Holm def. Megan Anderson via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-26, 30-26)
Heavyweight: Tai Tuivasa def. Andrei Arlovski via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Welterweight: Mike Jackson def. CM Punk via unanimous decision (30-26, 30-26, 30-26)
Prelims
Heavyweight: Curtis Blaydes def. Alistair Overeem via TKO (elbows) 2:56, R3
Women’s Strawweight: Claudia Gadelha def. Carla Esparza via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
Featherweight: Mirsad Bektic def. Ricardo Lamas via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 30-27)
Heavyweight: Chris del la Rocha def. Rashad Coulter vis TKO (punches) 3:23, R2
Early prelims
Light Heavyweight: Anthony Smith def. Rashad Evans via knockout (knee) 0:53, R1
Flyweight: Sergio Pettis def. Joseph Benavidez via split decision (28-29, 29-28, 30-27)
Lightweight: Charles Oliveira def. Clay Guida via submission (guillotine choke) 2:18, R1
Featherweight: Dan Ige def. Mike Santiago via TKO (punches) 0:50, R1
Middleweight champion Robert Whittaker will take on #1 Yoel Romero in a rematch. Join The Roar from 12pm AEST for live commentary and round-by-round action.
It’s been just under a year since Robert Whittaker won the belt and his first defence was set to come against the man he beat to get it.
However duel to Yoel Romero missing weight, Whittaker will remain champion regardless of the result.
Romero also missed weight the first time him and Whittaker fought, making him the first man in UFC history to miss weight in back-to-back title fights.
In the end Romero could only get his weight down to just 90 grams above the limit.
Nevertheless the fight will still happen, just not for the belt.
In the first bout Whittaker started off slowly against Yoel Romero losing the first two rounds. Things got worse when he injured his foot mid-fight.
However the Aussie rallied and pressed Romero, winning the last three rounds to win the interim title.
He was later promoted to champion when George St-Pierre vacated the middleweight title.
Since moving up to middleweight in 2014 Whittaker has looked unstoppable. He’s unbeaten at the weight class and is riding an eight-fight win streak.
He also now sits at 13th on the pound-for-pound rankings, the highest any Australian fighter as achieved.
When Whittaker pulled out of the UFC 221 main event against Luke Rockhold it was Yoel Romero that stepped up and took his place.
He entered as the underdog but 41-year-old Romero still managed to knock Rockhold out cold in the third-round.
Before his loss to Whittaker, Romero was on an eight-fight winning streak.
Seven of those were knockouts over the some of the best fighters the division has seen, such as Derek Brunson, Tim Kennedy, Lyoto Machida, Ronaldo Souza and Chris Weidman.
In the co-main event Rafael dos Anjos will be looking to become one of the few men who has won a title in different classes when he faces Colby Covington.
Dos Anjos was one of the most dominant fighters in lightweight history and has made his mark on the welterweight division well.
In his first three welterweight bouts he’s beaten Tarec Saffiedine, Neil Magny and former-champ Robbie Lawler.
Covington’s brash personality has taken the UFC by storm and he has seemed to rub almost everyone in the company the wrong way with his trash talk.
He has however managed to talk himself into a title fight and if he wins he will silence a lot of his critics.
Covington is 13-1 and riding a five-fight win streak. His biggest win came via decision over Demian Maia last October.
Predictions
Romero is dangerous and explosive, but gets tired as the fight drags on.
If Whittaker can do what he did in the first fight and survive early before picking up the pace, he should beat Romero for a second time.
Robert Whittaker to defeat Yoel Romero via unanimous decision.
Dos Anjos is one of the best the UFC has ever seen and has a chance to make history.
Both him and Covington are aggressive but the latter seems to have the psychological edge in what has become a personal fight.
However, dos Anjos is a lot better on the ground and if he can stay calm and stick to the game plan, he can leave the octagon as a two-time UFC champion.
Rafael dos Anjos to defeat Colby Covington via submission in round two.
James Ditchfield
Roar Rookie
That should be a wrap as far as CM Punk's UFC - even MMA - career is concerned.
Sideline Commentator
Roar Guru
Good card. A bit disappointed by Anderson, but I tell you, better Holly than Cyborg. From what she showed she is no where near the level of the champ. Good wins from the other two Aussies, though both were borderline calls I would say. Whittaker has to be one of the toughest person I've seen. But is he made of glass? First his knee and now his hand, is he ever going to fight properly healthy?
Sideline Commentator
Roar Guru
Interesting point, Nardio. Same for me. But I was in Brisbane, and I assumed it was because Horn is a Brisbane boy.
shirtpants
Roar Guru
They don't really give 10-10 rounds. Make a call and go with it! Enjoyed the read as i missed this card unfortunately
Nardio
Guest
Just an observation. About 200 people at the pub where I watched Crawford defeat Horn...I reckon 150 left immediately and didnt bother about the UFC telecast.
The Neutral View From Sweden
Roar Guru
Wallabies yesterday and Whitaker today, it has been a good weekend for Aussie grit. The heart Whitaker showed was next level. Unbelievable fight. A pleasure to watch.
Marc A
Guest
great coverage. thank you
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
Thank you for joining us for this live blog, we look forward to seeing you all again soon!
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
Main card Middleweight (Non-Title): Robert Whittaker def. Yoel Romero via split decision (48-47, 47-48, 48-47) Interim Welterweight Championship: Colby Covington def. Rafael dos Anjos via unanimous decision (49-46, 48-47, 48-47) to become the new UFC Interim-Welterweight Championship Women's Featherweight: Holly Holm def. Megan Anderson via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-26, 30-26) Heavyweight: Tai Tuivasa def. Andrei Arlovski via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) Welterweight: Mike Jackson def. CM Punk via unanimous decision (30-26, 30-26, 30-26) Prelims Heavyweight: Curtis Blaydes def. Alistair Overeem via TKO (elbows) 2:56, R3 Women's Strawweight: Claudia Gadelha def. Carla Esparza via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28) Featherweight: Mirsad Bektic def. Ricardo Lamas via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 30-27) Heavyweight: Chris del la Rocha def. Rashad Coulter vis TKO (punches) 3:23, R2 Early prelims Light Heavyweight: Anthony Smith def. Rashad Evans via knockout (knee) 0:53, R1 Flyweight: Sergio Pettis def. Joseph Benavidez via split decision (28-29, 29-28, 30-27) Lightweight: Charles Oliveira def. Clay Guida via submission (guillotine choke) 2:18, R1 Featherweight: Dan Ige def. Mike Santiago via TKO (punches) 0:50, R1
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
Here are the full results from this event.
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
THE OFFICIAL DECISION: Robert Whittaker def. Yoel Romero via split decision (48-47, 47-48, 48-47)
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
(C) Robert Whittaker vs #1 Yoel Romero - ROUND 5/5 Fifth and final round is underway. What a fight this has been. Good side kick to the knee lands for Whittaker. Romero lands a one-two that stuns Whittaker. Whittaker lands a hard kick. Spinning back kick lands for Romero. Spinning back fist misses for Romero. Double jab lands for Whittaker. Side kick to the knee lands for Whittaker. Another one. Good shots land for Romero. Both men miss with shots. Romero drops Whittaker with a hard shot and jumps on him. Whittaker is in big trouble but holding on with a single leg. Somehow Whittaker manages to survive and drives Romero against the fence. He's still in the same position though. Whittaker gets back to his feet is kneed in the face. Romero kicks his leg out from underneath him when Whittaker gets up again. Once again Whittaker is up but he is taking some punishment at the same time. Whittaker gets back up to his feet and is tripped once again. Romero is holding on to his back. One minute to go and Whittaker has survived somehow. The referee breaks them with 39 seconds to go in the fight. Whittaker misses with the side kick to the leg. 20 seconds to go. Romero explodes forward but Whittaker avoids it. Romero spins but Whittaker drops him with a kick. Time. WHAT A FIGHT! My score: 10-9 Romero Overall score: 48-48 Draw
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
(C) Robert Whittaker vs #1 Yoel Romero - ROUND 4/5 Round four. What a crazy fight. Fight of the night for sure, the crowd is going wild. They touch gloves. Whittaker goes high with a kick. Romero just says it. Whittaker hits Romero with another high kick as he comes in. Another high kick is thrown by Whittaker. Good jab lands for Whittaker. Good front kick hyper-extended Romero's knee. Groin strike stops the fight for a second. I didn't look too bad but Romero has five minutes to recover. Let's see how much of the time he uses. Both men are wrecked. The touch gloves and reset. Whittaker still staying active with kicks. Both men trade but neither land clean. Triple jab lands for Whittaker but the head kick behind it just misses. It looks like Whittaker has broken his right hand, he isn't throwing it at all. Two good kicks land for Whittaker. Romero lands two good body shots. Both men are trading, but Whittaker is just using the one hand. Romero lands two right hands that hurt Whittaker right at the end of round four. Very, very close round. My score: 10-10 Draw Overall score: 39-38 Whittaker
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
(C) Robert Whittaker vs #1 Yoel Romero - ROUND 3/5 The doctor does a great job with Romero's eye and it looks open now. Round three is underway and Whittaker attacks the legs again. This is starting to get really Romero ducks under a high kick. A huge right hand lands for Romero and down goes Whittaker! He is hurt really bad! Whittaker is trying to survive and it looks like he might. What a shot that was. Romero pushes Whittaker on the fence. Whittaker lands a spinning elbow. Romero is trying to take Whittaker down but Whittaker stuffs it. Whittaker turns Romero and lands a knee to the body. Whittaker is really tired. He was hurt badly. Whittaker throws a high kick. This is a crazy fight. Romero is landing some big shots with Whittaker on the fence. Whittaker lands a head kick that stuns Romero. This is a crazy round. They clinch and Romero puts Whittaker on the fence. Whittaker spins. Time. My score: 10-9 Romero Overall score: 29-28 Whittaker
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
(C) Robert Whittaker vs #1 Yoel Romero - ROUND 2/5 Second round. It was a great first round for Whittaker but Romero has crazy power and we saw glimpses of it. They touch gloves and Whittaker throws a side kick. Romero is much more loose with his punches. Side kick lands for Whittaker. Overhand just out of range for Whittaker. Overhand lands for Whittaker. Whittaker eats a body kick. Front kick lands for Whittaker. Another overhand just grazes for Whittaker. They clinch but neither man can land or get a takedown. Front kick lands to the leg for Whittaker. Leg kick is checked by Romero. Romero has a head kick blocked. Romero's right eye has blocked up from swelling, he probably can't even see out of it. Will be interesting to see if this fight needs to be stopped. Whittaker goes for a head kick on that side but its blocked. And another. Whittaker has upped the pace. Romero's eye is in a really bad way. They clinch and break. Head kick is blocked by Whittaker. Romero tries for a takedown but its stuffed. Whittaker lands a jab. Time. My score: 10-9 Whittaker Overall score: 20-18 Whittaker
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
(C) Robert Whittaker vs #1 Yoel Romero - ROUND 1/5 Round one of this non-title fight is underway. They touch gloves. Whittaker attacks the lead leg of Romero right away. Whittaker still trying to hyper-extend the knee of Romero with the side kick. More kick thrown by Whittaker followed by some jabs. Romero hasn't been active at all thus far this fight. Whittaker has his left hook blocked. Whittaker is throwing a good variety of strikes. Romero throws his first strike and it's blocked. Romero swings wildly again and Whittaker avoids it. Once of those lands and it could be lights out. Romero really looks like he is taking his time and trying to not get tired. Whittaker lands a good overhand. They trade and Whittaker gets the better of the exchanges. Whittaker goes high with a kick but its blocked. Whittaker pushes forward with strikes and Romero does well to avoid them. Body kick lands for Whittaker. Romero has a kick checked and misses a counter-left. Romero lands a big leg kick. Romero misses a spinning back fist. Time. My score: 10-9 Whittaker Overall score: 10-9 Whittaker
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
Seven of those were knockouts over the some of the best fighters the division has seen, such as Derek Brunson, Tim Kennedy, Lyoto Machida, Ronaldo Souza and Chris Weidman.
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
Before his loss to Whittaker, Romero was on an eight-fight winning streak.
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
He entered as the underdog but 41-year-old Romero still managed to knock Rockhold out cold in the third-round.
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
When Whittaker pulled out of the UFC 221 main event against Luke Rockhold it was Yoel Romero that stepped up and took his place.