Romero faces Whittaker for interim middleweight belt at UFC 213

Romero and Whittaker face each other in July (Photos: Facebook/Montagem Super Lutas)

Ultimate got tired of waiting for Michael Bisping. After the middleweight champion claimed to be injured, which prevented him from defending his title, the organization scheduled an interim title fight for the category. This is a duel between Yoel romero e Robert whittaker, scheduled for UFC 213, July 8, in Las Vegas (USA).

See too

Bisping reaffirms his desire to face GSP, but approves interim belt

Dana White says St. Pierre will fight for welterweight belt

Number 1 in the division's rankings, Romero still doesn't know what it's like to lose in Ultimate. In the organization since 2013, he won eight fights, six of which by knockout. The most recent one was about Chris Weidman at UFC 205, in November last year. At 40 years old, he had a record with 12 wins and just one defeat, against the Brazilian Rafael Feijão, in the extinct organization “Strikeforce”. Interestingly, this was the Cuban's last fight before landing in the UFC.

Whittaker, 26 years old, is going through a great phase in his career, with seven consecutive victories. His last performance was last April, when he surprised by knocking out the Brazilian Ronaldo Jacare at UFC Kansas. TUF Smashes Champion in 2012, he debuted in the organization as a welterweight, but moved to the top category after alternating highs and lows. In total, the Australian has already had 22 fights as a professional, obtaining 18 positive results and four negative results.

The fight will be the second most important attraction of the show, which will be led by the rematch between Amanda nunes e Valentina Shevchenko, valid for the women's bantamweight belt. Two more Brazilians are confirmed on the card: the heavyweight Fabricio Werdum and the average weight Thiago Marreta, who face alistair overeem e Gerald meerschaertrespectively.

UFC 213 CARD (so far):

Bantamweight: Amanda nunes x Valentina Shevchenko

Average weight: Yoel romero x Robert whittaker

Heavyweight: Fabricio Werdum x alistair overeem

Welterweight Weight: Robbie Lawler x Donald Cerrone

Heavyweight: Travis Browne vs Alexey Oliynyk

Heavyweight: Curtis blaydes x Daniel Omielanczuk

Average weight: Thiago Marreta x Gerald meerschaert

Lightweight: Anthony Pettis x Jim Miller

Poatan in danger? Veteran calls for 'war' and believes in victory against Brazilian in UFC