Robert Whittaker claims Interim Middleweight crown with unanimous decision win over Yoel Romero:

Robert Whittaker overcomes Yoel Romero.

The Interim Middleweight title bout between Cuban Olympic wrestler Yoel 'Soldier of God' Romero and Australian striking sensation Robert 'The Reaper' Whittaker headlines UFC 213, after the falling out of Amanda Nunes' Bantamweight title defence against Valentina Shevchenko. Arguably the most feared and daunting physical specimen in the MMA world today, the dominant Romero, brought Chris Weidman's night to a sudden end at UFC 205, as he met Weidman's level change with a huge knee, earning him this main event slot. A real dynamic striker, Whittaker shocked the world after his head kick win over Derek Brunson, as he so similarly stopped Brazilian grappling master Ronaldo 'Jacaré' Souza, to continue his sensational meteoric rise to the top.

Our referee for this main event was 'Big' John McCarthy as the opening of a possible five rounds got underway. Whittaker was the first to engage with a high kick attempt to no avail, before a leg kick from Yoel caused a slip. Whittaker landed a clean jab after a body kick from Romero, who then fried a hook kick. A huge takedown was successful for Yoel before Whittaker managed to make it back to his feet. A flying knee attempt from Romero set up a possible takedown, but 'The Reaper' displayed his incredible takedown defence. A front kick to the body scored for Robert Whittaker before Romero seen another takedown not fully completed. Whittaker looking comfortable in there.

Whittaker revealed that his left leg was "trashed" in his corner, as a result from an early oblique kick from Yoel. The second round seen another couple of flying knees from Romero, before a single leg from the freestyle wrestler proved a success. Whittaker was controlling the posture of Romero in the guard before giving up his back, and defending a further rag dolling. A brilliant trip from Romero left Romero in a dominant position. 'Big' John McCarthy called for a stop in the action and he seperated both from the fence. A huge trip for Romero landed at the last few seconds of the round. Round two goes to Romero for me.

The third round began with a glove malfunction for Romero with John McCarthy calling for a quick fix. Whittaker then tagged Romero with a left hand, as the Cuban fought off with his back against the cage. A good push kick landed for Whittaker as Romero began to back away. Little to no output from Yoel Romero in the third round with a minute remaining, maybe Romero is just cautious of his gas tank heading into the championship rounds.

The fourth round seen another push kick opening for 'The Reaper' who then once more defended a takedown from Romero. Whittaker managed a good knee to the body of Romero as they exited the clinch, good targeting of the body by the Aussie striker. Whittaker then landed a body kick before slamming a left hand home. Romero got tagged with yet another left hand, as the wheels looked to be falling off the Cuban.

Fifth and final round in this bout, with both men taking two rounds each in my opinion. Whittaker was landing well in the fifth as Romero then caught the Aussie with a big left hand, wobbling him. That push kick was really effective for Whittaker, with Romero walking his opponent down. A slip from Romero allowed Whittaker to jump into the guard of Romero with only thirty seconds left in the final round. Huge elbows from Whittaker smashed into the face of Romero as they go the distance. Robert Whittaker takes the Interim title with three rounds to Yoel's two I believe. The judges awarded the Interim Middleweight title along with a unanimous decision to Australia's Robert Whittaker.

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