The UFC heads to Australia for the first time this year once it sets up shop in Perth to get UFC 221. Although the card is far from the sexiest you’ll see, there are still lots of compelling bouts to stay diehard fans intrigued.
The main event features Yoel Romero and Luke Rockhold facing away. This bout was for the interim middleweight crown but after Romero failed to make weight, the name is only going to be online for Rockhold. The remaining portion of the card is filled with plenty of hometown talent that’ll look to find the audience in Perth eager for their first event .
Yoel Romero vs Luke Rockhold
Romero (+120) is an athletic freak. Despite being 40 years old,”The Soldier of God” has more speed, ability and athleticism than fighters half his age. This is Romero’s entire game’s foundation. In the striking phase, the Cuban just begs and begs for his moment to burst to strikes. It works the exact same for his wrestling. Romero is an Olympic wrestler and relies on that skill set more than any other but that he still prefers to land takedowns with explosiveness instead of grinding it out.
Romero has a gas tank. He’s individual in the Octagon since he burns off his cardio extremely fast. You are able to see him visibly breathing heavily after a significant explosion of movement. That is why his whole game is built around controlled proportions of energy resulting in controlling his opponent.
Not to be outdone, Rockhold (-150) is more athletically gifted than 95% of the fighters in the UFC. The former champion is fast and powerful but uses his normal size advantage better than most in the division, whether that is working from range supporting his left hook and body kick or dominating the leverage battle from the clinch. Offensively wrestling is not something Rockhold focuses on — unless working from the clinch — but he is just one of the craftier entry fighters in the division.
There are holes in Rockhold’s game. The only minor flaw that sticks out is his inclination to rely on specific strikes on the feet. He could rely a lot on his left hook and body kick, telegraphing and giving a chance to become countered.
Romero is very harmful as they come but his cardio is simply not there to compete with Rockhold. “The Soldier of God” can always land a KO shot — he’s demonstrated that — but Rockhold’s clinch function will wear Romero down.
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