The Bloody Elbow staff has made its selections for UFC 225, and I’m not sure I should really be calling this”UFC 225: Whittaker vs. Romero 2.” For now, Robert Whittaker and Yoel Romero hasn’t been cancelled following Romero’s weight miss, but we know it’s not to get a title fight. Theoretically this likely needs to be Rafael dos Anjos vs. Colby Covington as the primary event, irrespective of the status of Whittaker vs. Romero.
Anyhow, everyone is going with Robert Whittaker over Yoel Romero for Saturday night. As for the co-main event, just Phil Mackenzie is going with Colby Covington to beat Rafael dos Anjos and eventually become the interim welterweight champion.
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UFC 225: Whittaker vs. Romero 2 employees predictions and picks for the card
Notice: Predictions are entered during the week and gathered the day prior to the event. Explanations behind each choice are not required and a few authors elect not to do this for their own reasons. For example, if Phil Mackenzie entered all his predictions on Wednesday without adding in any explanations, he has no idea if he’s going to be the only one siding with a single fighter for any given fight.
Robert Whittaker vs. Yoel Romero
Anton Tabuena: Romero will remain dangerous, but Whittaker is most likely to be the person who has made the most improvements because their initial bout. I would’ve picked Whittaker even before Romero looking like passing on the scale, and now I anticipate a one-sided affair this time. Robert Whittaker by late TKO.
Mookie Alexander: Properly Romero. This is now a non-title bout, and it’s three rounds (I am assuming). Anyhow, these were my thoughts before the burden miss, and nothing changes here. My selection hinges almost entirely on Whittaker not looking depleted after each the health problems that plagued him earlier in the year. His takedown defense is incredible, and even when Romero got him down, he could not hold him there… which was with Whittaker’s knee getting jacked by Romero from the opening around! I don’t feel that changes in the rematch, and he fights at a speed and times his strikes much better compared to Yoel does. Their very first bout is still the only real time Romero has been outlanded in a UFC fight. I am anticipating Romero to fight this one strategically as he did vs. Luke Rockhold. However, Rockhold is a somewhat simple and relatively wooden striker, whereas Whittaker cuts throws and angles in penalizing combinations. I know there is the third-round Romero fear, but do not rule out Whittaker planting Romero with a head kick. The pick remains Robert Whittaker by conclusion, although I am hoping we get yet another thriller.
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