The Bloody Elbow staff has made its selections for UFC 225, and I’m not sure I should be calling this”UFC 225: Whittaker vs. Romero 2.” For the time being, Robert Whittaker and Yoel Romero hasn’t yet been cancelled after Romero’s weight miss, but we know that it’s not for a title fight. Theoretically this probably needs to be Rafael dos Anjos vs. Colby Covington because the main event, regardless of the status of Whittaker vs. Romero.
Anyhow, everyone is going with Robert Whittaker over Yoel Romero for Saturday night. In terms of the co-main occasion, just Phil Mackenzie is going with Colby Covington to beat Rafael dos Anjos and become the interim welterweight champion.
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UFC 225: Whittaker vs. Romero 2 staff picks and predictions for the card
Notice: Predictions are entered throughout the week and gathered the day prior to the event. Explanations behind every pick aren’t required and a few writers elect to not do so for their own motives. For instance, if Phil Mackenzie entered all of his predictions on Wednesday without incorporating in any explanations, he has no idea if he’s likely to be the only one siding with one fighter for any given fight.
Robert Whittaker vs. Yoel Romero
Anton Tabuena: Romero will always be harmful, but Whittaker is most likely to be the one who has made the most improvements because their first bout. I would’ve picked Whittaker even before Romero appearing like death on the scale, and now I expect a more one-sided affair this time. Robert Whittaker by TKO.
Mookie Alexander: Well Romero missed weight. This is now a non-title bout, and it has three rounds (I am presuming ). Anyway, these were my thoughts before the burden miss, and nothing changes here. My selection hinges almost entirely on Whittaker not looking depleted after each of the health problems that plagued him earlier in the year. His takedown defense is phenomenal, and even when Romero caught him down, he couldn’t hold him there… and that was with Whittaker’s knee getting jacked by Romero in the opening around! I really don’t feel that changes in the rematch, and he fights at a speed and times his strikes even better compared to Yoel does. Their first bout remains the only time Romero has been outlanded in a UFC battle. I’m anticipating Romero to fight this one strategically as he did Luke Rockhold. But, Rockhold is a fairly basic and relatively wooden striker, whereas Whittaker cuts angles and throws in punishing combinations. I know there’s the third-round Romero fear, but do not rule out Whittaker planting Romero with a head kick. I’m hoping we get another thriller, but the pick is Robert Whittaker by unanimous decision.

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