Yoel Romero vs Luke Rockhold UFC 221 Countdown
UFC 221 sees Yoel Romero and Luke Rockhold clash in a highly anticipated middleweight contest. As the former division champion and former Strikeforce champion Rockhold looks to regain the title he lost to Michael Bisping at UFC 199. He faces one of the toughest tests at 185 lbs in Yoel Romero.
Romero is an Olympic calibre wrestler who has always promised big things since joining the UFC. With just one loss in his last eight fights being to the current champion Robert Whittaker. This is the Cuban’s chance to grab his opportunity and firmly stake his claim to another shot against the New Zealander.
Both athletes bring their own unique attributes to the cage. With Rockhold being known for his diverse striking and solid submission game. While Romero brings an unrivalled background in wrestling and explosive striking at middleweight. With many feeling, he should have been given a shot at the title much earlier in his career.
Now the two will finally face of and put it all on the line for the UFC interim title. With the champion Robert Whittaker currently out of the picture. Now is the time for both fighters to show that they have what it takes to become the number one contender and interim titleholder.
Mark Hunt vs Curtis Blaydes at Heavyweight
The UFC 221 card also boasts a strong heavyweight matchup. As perhaps the greatest heavyweight to ever represent Australian and New Zealand, Mark Hunt. Will take on the rapidly rising Curtis Blaydes, a challenger who while admitting Hunt is a scary figure, says he is not scared of the challenge.
With four tantalising matchups on the cards, as well as a strong undercard. This UFC Perth card is shaping up to be one of the best of the year. Who will rise to the top and who will be left behind to pick up the pieces and go again?
And we go behind the scenes and into the training camps of the fighters. As the Californian Rockhold has moved from his long time home at American Kickboxing academy. And relocated with Henri Hooft in Fort Lauderdale Florida, as he tries to reignite the success which has brought him several titles in the sport.
We take a look back at Rockhold’s road to where he is now. With three straight wins including a sounds defeat of the champion Chris Weidman to take the middleweight title. But with his opportunity to face Whittaker for the title now being snatched away due to injury. He will face Yoel Romero to find out who is the best of the pair.
Yoel Romero vs Luke Rockhold at Middleweight
And in Romero, we find one of the most destructive middleweights on the planet. Who even at forty years of age still possess much of the power and athleticism which has brought him to this point in his career. Laying all challengers to waste since joining the promotion. he has gone on to become one of the most feared fighters in the sport.
Only stumbling once in his title fight against Robert Whittaker. Few can dispute the qualities and dangers he brings to the fight. With a calibre of wrestling rarely seen in the sport. Yoel will look to dominate the the former champion in much the same way he has other opponents.
Forcing the Californian to play his game and dragging him from his world to his own. It’s a fight whci hwill determine so much in one of the sports toughest division’s. Can Luke Rockhold execute his own gameplan and nullify the ferocity of the Cuban wrestler? Or will it be Romero who continue on his path to UFC gold?
We find out everything when the pair step into the octagon at UFC 221. To decide who is the second best 185 lb fighter on the planet.