UFC 225 is starting to take shape, and it might have just got it’s headlining act.
According to Yoel Romero, who was on a much anticipated episode of the Joe Rogan Experience this morning, he’ll be facing UFC middleweight champion Robert Whittaker in Chicago on June 9. His comments come on the back of reports by BJPenn.com.
It’s the second time Whittaker and Romero have faced, with Whittaker defeating the Cuban the first time around. After Romero defeated Luke Rockhold at UFC 221, however, he emerged as the clear contender for Whittaker’s title.
Romero detailed plenty on the podcast, including his upbringing in Cuba, his moving to America and the new training he’ll be implementing so as to avoid cardio issues in his Whittaker rematch.
“I was preparing myself but not preparing myself correctly for how I was going to fight,” Romero said (transcribed by Damon Martin). “This new trainer really gets me prepared for how I should fight. I was trying to fight at a high pace for five rounds because I know my gas. The people that have fought with me, if they want to be honest and we’re not even talking about if they won or loss, we’re talking about the gas, if it’s as easy to get that rhythm going.
“There’s one thing to be out of the fight and one thing to be in the fight. Let’s just wait till June 9.”
Currently, UFC 225 looks set to feature the following names:
- Robert Whittaker vs. Yoel Romero II
- CM Punk vs. TBA
- Carla Esparza vs. Claudia Gadelha
- Joseph Benavidez vs. Sergio Pettis
- Curtis Blaydes vs. Alistair Overeem
- Rashad Evans vs. Anthony Smith
- Rashad Coulter vs. Allen Crowder
