Israel Adesanya wins Yoel Romero fight by unanimous decision at UFC 248
New Zealand superstar Israel Adesanya has retained his UFC middleweight strap, and maintained his undefeated record, with an underwhelming, and controversial, unanimous points decision win over Cuban Yoel Romero.
Israel Adesanya won the fight, but lost the crowd.
Enter Bobby Knuckles.
On a crazy night of fights at UFC 248 in Las Vegas, Australia’s inaugural UFC champion Robert Whittaker – somewhat incredibly – ended up winning out at an event he was supposed to attend, then missed, and wound up being highlighted by the greatest woman’s UFC fight ever.
Israel Adesanya argues with Yoel Romero's corner after his decision win. Picture: Getty
One of the greatest fights period, too.
But more on that shortly.
First, we need to dissect the fallout from a middleweight title bout where, challenging for the gold strap Whittaker owned as recently as October, Adesanya won a contentious decision win over Cuban Yoel Romero.
When the fight concluded after five rounds, the crowd booed loudly.
Then the scorecards were read (48-47, 48-47, 49-46), they booed louder again.
Adesanya (L) and Yoel Romero come together after Adesanya is awarded the belt. Picture: AP
A few days earlier, Adesanya had said Whittaker would need to win at least three more times before joining a list of future opponents that includes, next, Brazilian Paulo Costa and, after that, potentially a superfight with Jon Jones.
Yet speaking with The Daily Telegraph, UFC president Dana White hinted the fighter dubbed Bobby Knuckles could be getting another shot at his gold strap before Christmas.
“It won’t be three,” White laughed when quizzed on Whittaker rematching the Kiwi who dethroned him at UFC 243.
“I love when fighters say that but it won’t be three.”
Who got next? Robert Whittaker could be the biggest winner out of Sunday's borefest. Picture: AAP
Better for Whittaker, nobody will wake on Monday morning talking a superfight for Adesanya after a fight even White conceded “sucked”.
The UFC boss quickly added Whittaker was not only back in training, but “ready to go” after being forced out of fight against American Jarod Cannonier on this Las Vegas card, for personal reasons.
“And I’m telling you those reasons he couldn’t fight, it’s one of the most stand up f…ing things I’ve heard in my life,” White said.
“The guy is a real man.
“It’s easy to become a world champion, become famous and lose your f…ing mind. Lose sight of what’s important in life.
“Rob Whittaker doesn’t have that problem … he’s the real deal.”
Joanna Jedrzejczyk was left with a gruesome, swollen forehead following her defeat in the fight of the night. Picture: AFP
Another fighter, undoubtedly, now stamped with ‘real deal’ status is UFC women’s strawweight champion Weili Zhang, who defended her title with an incredibly gutsy split decision win over Polsih gangster Joanna Jędrzejczyk (48-47, 48-47, 47-48).
Afterwards, both fighters failed to front the media for the simple reason that they were in a Las Vegas hospital.
Jędrzejczyk, in particular, copped tremendous damage to her face and forehead, which was incredibly swollen afterwards as the entire T-Mobile crowd rose to its feet in applause.
The main event though?
“It sucked,” White conceded.
“I expected Yoel Romero to … I’m shocked. He knew this was his last chance at a world title opportunity, I thought he would come out like a bat out of hell.
“He didn’t. Right from the bell he came out there with his hands up. Made no sense whatsoever."
Israel Adesanya and Yoel Romero were both roundly booed throughout their five-round fight. Picture: AFP
Adesanya doubled down when he fronted the media, saying: “It takes two to tango.
“I can’t force a guy to fight ... I might as well have used a training dummy at my gym. You guys know me, I’m never in a boring fight.
“(But) I need people to try and take this shit from me.
“Even in the fifth round, he didn't attack. Show me you want that belt.”
Romero, however, blamed the champ for the lacklustre headliner saying “I can’t fight a ghost”.
The Cuban also got up and danced when asked if Adesanya had hurt his leg with repeated kicks, before then paying tribute to Whittaker who suffered significant damage in their two epic UFC wars: “(But) he would stand and fight with me”.
Updates
Mark Jones
From Nick Walshaw in Las Vegas:
WOW!! Israel Adesanya wins by unanimous decision …. crowd booing loudly.
Adesanya: "I did what I had to to pick him apart. I f…ed his leg up. I did what I had to do to win that fight. Unfortunately I got someone who didn't want to dance. He lulls."
Judges had it 48/47, 48/47, 49/46. Two of those I can agree with. Not the 49/46.
Romero announced to the crowd as they cheered loudly: "We wanted a fight. The people want to see a real fight. That's why I came here. That's why they pay. For what? For fight. Not for running."
AND STILL! ADESANYA OUTLASTS ROMERO
Dominic Burke
From Nick Walshaw in Las Vegas:
WOW!! Israel Adesanya wins by unanimous decision …. crowd booing loudly.
Adesanya: "I did what I had to to pick him apart. I f…ed his leg up. I did what I had to do to win that fight. Unfortunately I got someone who didn't want to dance. He lulls."
Judges had it 48/47, 48/47, 49/46. Two of those I can agree with. Not the 49/46.
Romero announced to the crowd as they cheered loudly: "We wanted a fight. The people want to see a real fight. That's why I came here. That's why they pay. For what? For fight. Not for running."
Round 5: Adesanya v Romero
Dominic Burke
From Nick Walshaw in Las Vegas:
Another slow start. Adesanya avoids a takedown. Izzy lands a big leg kick. Slips. Stumbles. Romero chases. Here comes Jaws. Nup. Can't catch him. Adesanya onto his feet and away. Romero hands out now as if to say 'let's trade'. Crowd boos. Romero shrugs as if to say 'it's his fault'. Romero hand in the air. At the death, screaming in Adesanya's face. We go to the judges, completely unsure of the result …..
Round 4: Adesanya v Romero
Dominic Burke
From Nick Walshaw in Las Vegas:
Remember the Romero who took it to Robert Whittaker in that first of two wars? Well, this is not that guy. On that night, I remember the Cuban monster going all in from the start. But tonight, he has another blueprint. But what it is? Who knows? Romero grabs at his eye now suggesting a poke. The fight is paused. Crowd aren't impressed. After all, there are one or two other things you can be doing on a Saturday night in Las Vegas. Now they're back into and and Romero scores a takedown. But Izzy straight back up. Then apart again. The ref urges them together. "C'mon guys …" Big right hand from Romero to end the round. Adesanya round. 2-2
Round 3: Adesanya v Romero
Dominic Burke
From Nick Walshaw in Las Vegas:
Strange fight. Israel continues with a range of kicks. Leg. Score. Ribs. Score. Romero? He feints. Drops to a knee. Pokes out his tongue. The crowd have their mobile phones up now showing the lights in the dark. Yep, it's that weird. Romero, as usual, the Olympic wrestler who doesn't wrestle. But there has hardly been any strikes either. And it still the weirdness of it all is captivating. Izzy round. Romero 2-1
Jessica McSweeney
From Nick Walshaw:
Incredible, split decision to Zhang!! If I've watched a better women's fight I cannot remember it.
Round 2: Adesanya v Romero
Dominic Burke
From Nick Walshaw in Las Vegas:
Slow start then … boom … Romero explodes. Throws some big left hands. Didn't land clean but threatening all the same. This is what he does. Stalks, then up and out of the water like Jaws. Izzy tossing out the jab. Lands a kick to the ribs. Crowd still booing. Adesanya lands late but seems to be struggling with the sculpted question mark that is Soldier of God. Two to Romero I reckon but tough to score
Adesanya v Romero: Round 1
Dominic Burke
From Nick Walshaw in Las Vegas:
Incredible start with both men …. um, motionless. Standing still. Seriously. Romero has gloves up. One giant, sculpted Cuban statue. Bouncing now as Izzy moves back and forth. Crowd booing. They're still high off the last fight. And so it continues. Both fighters keeping distance. Dull round. Romero lands one significant punch. Izzy leg kicks. Round Romero?
Dominic Burke
From Nick Walshaw: UFC champ Israel Adesanya coming out as two women throw rose petals at his feet ….
Dominic Burke
From Nick Walshaw: Okay, hopefully you've grabbed a beer because here comes The Soldier of God, Yoel Romero …
