UFC interim middleweight title: Yoel Romero vs. Robert Whittaker live round-by-round coverage

UFC interim middleweight title: Yoel Romero vs. Robert Whittaker live round-by-round coverage

Yoel Romero and Robert Whittaker have been pursuing a middleweight title shot for some time, particularly Romero. Champion Michael Bisping has been sidelined by injury and is hoping for a fight with Georges St. Pierre. Thus, Romero and Whittaker will fight for an interim title and hopefully the winner will take on Bisping in the fall. Romero is an Olympic silver medalist in wrestling with otherworldly knockout power. He is 13-1 in MMA with 11 knockouts. Robert Whittaker is a fast striker who is 6-0 since moving to middleweight. He defeated Ronaldo "Jacare" Souza last time out in the most impressive victory of his career.

Round 1. Whittaker opens with a high kick. Romero knocks Whittaker off balance with a low kick. Romero connects with a hard kick to the body. Romero then lands a kick to the head and slams Whittaker to the mat. Whittaker gets back up to his feet immediately. Romero goes for a flying knee and then grabs a body lock. He looks to muscle Whittaker back down to the canvas. Whittaker stops that and lands a nice jab. Whittaker sends Romero into the cage with a push kick. Romero explodes for another takedown but Whittaker blocks it beautifully and lands a knee to the body. Whittaker lands a head kick late. Close round. 10-9 Romero.

Round 2. Whittaker lands another head kick early. He gets that up so quickly. Romero nails Whittaker with a really hard knee to the body. He then takes Whittaker down. This time, Whittaker can't pop up quickly and he gets Romero in his full guard. Whittaker just holds tight while Romero lands punches from the top. Whittaker rolls over and stands up but Romero retains control of his body. Romero lands a knee and looks to take him back down. They end up next to the cage trading knees before they are separated. Whi ttaker throws a front kick but eats a hook in a scramble. Romero takes Whittaker down again at the end. 10-9 Romero.

Round 3. Romero goes for a takedown but is blocked. The fighters trade hooks and it looked like Whittaker hurt Romero. Whittaker is aggressive moments later with punches and again Romero looks in a bit of trouble. Whittaker lands a nice kick to the body and then goes to the head. Romero is largely on the defensive this round. Whittaker blocks another two takedown attempts.Whittaker continues to charge in regularly with punches while Romero mostly defends. However, Whittaker doesn't appear to be doing a lot of damage. 10-9 Whittaker. It's hard to tell whether Romero has nothing left or if he just decided to take that round off.

Round 4. Whittaker lands a head kick as Romero is moving in. Romero grabs the waist and goes for a takedown. They battle for control. Whittaker prevents the takedown. Romero tries again and is stuffed again. They're so sweaty at this point it's going to be much more difficult. Romero uses a hard flying knee to the body. Whittaker throws a head kick and then connects with a solid left hook. Romero goes for another takedown late and it is blocked. Whittaker lands a few punches including a hard uppercut. Romero really pushes for another takedown and doesn't get it. He's clearly very tired at this point. 10-9 Whittaker.

Round 5. Romero lands a kick and then a punch in succession. Whittaker lands a knee moving in. Both men are attacking in this round. Whittaker lands an uppercut. Whittaker throws a series of kicks. Romero is bleeding. Romero lands a big hook. Romero trips while attacking and Whittaker takes top position with a minute and a half left. Whittaker lands some punches and elbows. Whittaker looks to pass guard but can't do it. He does drop a series of solid elbows while Romero throws from the bottom. 10-9 Whittaker, 48-47 Whittaker.

Winner: Robert Whittaker, unanimous decision (48- 47, 48-47, 48-47).

Robert Whittaker pulled that out with stamina. Yoel Romero was more dangerous early but as the fight progressed, Whittaker was more active and pulled away narrowly. For Romero, it's a massive disappointment as he falls short of the fight with Michael Bisping he has pursued for some time. At 40 years old, he doesn't have an infinite amount of time to accomplish that goal.

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