UFC 221: Romero beats Rockhold by knockout, but is left without a belt

Romero celebrates victory at UFC 221. Photo: Instagram / UFC

Yoel romero He won, but he didn't take it! The Cuban showed the power of his hands and knocked out Luke Rockhold in the early hours of this Sunday (11). But as the 'Soldier of God' didn't make weight in the middleweight division, he didn't take the interim belt in the category, which was only at stake for his opponent. The fight between Romero and Rockhold was the main attraction of UFC 221, an event held in the city of Perth, Australia.

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“First I want to thank God. Secondly, I want to apologize for not making the weight and I want to thank everyone who came to watch the event. Rockhold is a great athlete and an incredible fighter. He was a Strikeforce and UFC champion. Thank you everyone”, said the Cuban, who could have been his country's first UFC champion.

The UFC 221 fight program also brought a Brazilian into action. Acting on the preliminary card, Jussier formiga took no notice of Ben Nguyen, submitted his rival with a rear naked choke and came very close to a chance at the organization's flyweight belt.

Romero beats Rockhold

The fight between Romero and Rockhold started out studied. The North American, with greater reach, dominated the center of the cage and took the initiative in the dispute. He worked with jab combinations, straight shots and kicks to the Cuban's legs. In turn, Yoel didn't find himself in the first half, releasing shots out of time and without being in danger from his rival.

The story of the fight began to change in the first moments of the second round. Romero went all out, putting Rockhold against the bars. The Cuban fired several bombs at the American, who was trying to fight the fight in the clinch. Yoel had a good moment again in the second half of the session, when he landed several punches again. Luke had to dodge anyway to avoid being knocked out.

Romero's comeback was confirmed in the third round. After an exchange of punches in the center of the cage, the Cuban placed Rockhold against the bars and opened the way to victory. He combined two jabs with a left bomb that dropped the former champion. The 'Soldier of God' also landed a straight left that exploded in Luke's face, leaving him knocked out in the octagon.

This was Romero's 13th victory in 15 fights as a professional. Rockhold, who would win the interim belt if he won, suffered his fourth defeat in 20 fights.

Blaydes beats Hunt in heavyweight duel

Blaydes (right) beat Hunt Esq.). Photo: Facebook / UFC

In the second most important fight of UFC 221, youth won over experience. The young Curtis blaydes, 26 years old, abused takedowns to avoid the veteran's dangerous hands Mark Hunt, 40, and win the dispute with a unanimous decision by the judges. (30-26, 29-27, 30-26).

With greater reach, Blaydes took the center of the cage and tried to control the fight on the feet. However, in the first opportunity he had to close the distance, Hunt landed two bombs in the face of the North American who ended up bending his knee. In his eagerness to knock him out, Mark walked forward and gave Curtis space to take him down. However, still feeling the impact of the blows, Blaydes just fought the fight on the ground.

Recovered from punishment in the first half, Curtis blaydes I didn't want to take any chances in the second round. He quickly went for the New Zealander's legs and took the fight to the ground. Already worn out, Hunt was unable to get rid of his rival, remaining on bottom until the end of the round.

Blaydes repeated the recipe in the third round and took Hunt down in the first few seconds. The North American took advantage of the New Zealander's fatigue to reach the mount and throw elbows from top to bottom. Mark still managed to get off the ground, but was knocked down soon after and remained on the ground until the end of the fight.

UFC 221 results

Main Card:

Yoel romero derrotou Luke Rockhold by knockout at 1m48s of R3

Curtis blaydes derrotou Mark Hunt in the unanimous decision of the judges (30-26, 29-27, 30-26)

Tai Tuivasa defeated Cyril Asker via TKO at 2:18 of R1

Jake matthews derrotou li jingliang in the unanimous decision of the judges (30-26, 29-28, 30-26)

Tyson Peter finished Saparbek Safarov with a Kimura 3m54s from R1

Preliminary Card:

Dong Hyun Kim defeated Damien Brown via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)

Israel adesanya defeated Rob Wilkinson via TKO at 3:37 of R2

Alex Volkanovski defeated Jeremy kennedy by technical knockout at 4m57s R2

Jussier formiga submitted Ben Nguyen with a rear naked choke at 1m43 R3

Ross Pearson defeated Mizuto Hirota via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28).

Jose Quinonez defeated Teruto Ishihara via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28).

Luke Jumeau defeated Daichi Abe via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-27, 28-27)