UFC Fight Night 70 results for 27 June 2015 Fighting against a vintage Lyoto Machida, Yoel Romero slowly stalked his opponent before exploding into action and knocking out the ex-light heavyweight champion in the third round.
Romero (10-1 MMA, 6-0 UFC) fought through Machida’s counters and charged across the cage for a takedown, and after a series of concussive elbows, Machida (22-7 MMA, 14-7 UFC) was unconscious at the 1:38 mark of the third.
“Wow,” Romero, a native of Cuba, said in English, adding his own exclamation to the ending.
The middleweight bout headlined today’s UFC Fight Night 70 event at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Fla. It aired on FOX Sports 1 following prelims on FOX Sports 2.
The finish was a fitting end for the Olympic silver-medal wrestler’s approach to the fight, a patient pressure that suddenly turned violent. Romero seemed to be looking for a highlight-reel performance, throwing leaping front kicks, flying knees and even a Superman punch off the cage — a la former lightweight champ Anthony Pettis — in addition to left hooks that began to find their mark as the fight went past the first round.
Then came the inside trip and leg pick that put Machida on the ground, and Romero capitalized so fast that his opponent had little time to react.
“I have great respect for Lyoto, and this is the type of fight I expected,” Romero said. “He’s a great athlete.”
If the strategy was a ploy to convince the UFC he deserves the next title shot after No. 1 contender Luke Rockhold faces champ Chris Weidman later this year, the knockout was the best statement Romero could make.
“Whoever god puts in my path,” said Romero when asked who he wanted to fight next.
The 38-year-old fighter, No. 7 in the USA TODAY Sports/Globelwrestling.blogspot.com MMA middleweight rankings and undefeated in six UFC appearances, faced a Machida, 37, who looked to turn back the clock on a decorated career. The ex-champ entered to his trademark music from Linkin Park and hopped around the cage, drawing Romero into his counters.
On several occasions, Machida caught Romero with straight right and left hands, and he sniped at the lead leg and body. But when Romero hit him, the effect was more apparent.
Machida, ranked No. 4, now has lost two in a row following a lopsided loss to Rockhold in April. Romero, who was twice slated to fight top contender Rondaldo “Jacare” Souza before injuries interceded, hasn’t been beaten since a 2011 knockout loss under the now-defunct Strikeforce banner.
Up-to-the-minute UFC Fight Night 70 results include:
- Yoel Romero def. Lyoto Machida via knockout (elbows) – Round 3, 1:38
- Lorenz Larkin def. Santiago Ponzinibbio via TKO (punches) – Round 2, 3:07
- Antonio Carlos Junior def. Eddie Gordon via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 3, 4:37
- Thiago “Marreta” Santos def. Steve Bosse via knockout (head kick) – Round 1, 0:29
- Hacran Dias def. Levan Makashvili via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
- Alex Oliveira def. Joe Merritt via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
- Leandro Silva def. Lewis Gonzalez via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
- Tony Sims def. Steve Montgomery via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 2:43
- Sirwan Kakai def. Danny Martinez via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
UFC Fight Night 70 results for 27 June 2015
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