The middleweight title may not have been on the line, but Robert Whittaker showed the heart of a champion Saturday night at UFC 225.
Whittaker defeated Yoel Romero for the second time in as many fights, outpointing the Cuban contender in a gutsy performance to secure a split decision win in the main event of UFC 225. However, not everyone in the MMA community saw the fight Whittaker’s way. Check out reaction to the polarizing decision below, plus the best of the rest from an action-packed night at UFC 225.
ROBERT WHITTAKER DEF. YOEL ROMERO
Incredible fight!! — The Diamond (@DustinPoirier) June 10, 2018
This fight is ALL HEART ❤️ a real honor to witness. @robwhittakermma @YoelRomeroMMA @ufc — Alpha Cat Zingano (@CatZingano) June 10, 2018
How tough is Whittaker. Incredible. Respect. #UFCChicago — Scott Holtzman (@HotSauceHoltzy) June 10, 2018
Yoel played the long game. I think he took the last three rounds. — Aiemann Zahabi (@Aiemannzahabi) June 10, 2018
Savage. Whittaker and Romero just put on a show. — Andre Fili (@TouchyFili) June 10, 2018
Close fight! Whittaker landed so much but Yoel almost finished him twice.. — James Vick (@JamesVickMMA) June 10, 2018
3 rounds to 2 for Whittaker but the last round he had no offense. All Romero was it 10-8? What a fight — Daniel Cormier (@dc_mma) June 10, 2018
Fight of the year. #UFC225Live — Todd Duffee (@ToddDuffee) June 10, 2018
Amazing fight @robwhittakermma . True heart and grit along with all that talent. #UFC — Chris Camozzi (@ChrisCamozzi) June 10, 2018
Rubber match with Yoel, Joe? Rubber match means it's tied 1-1. It's 2-0 Bobby, and Yoel missed weight. #ufc225 — The Mane Event™ (@EliasTheodorou) June 10, 2018
No way. @YoelRomeroMMA won that fight! — Roan Jucao (@jucao) June 10, 2018
Happy for Robert he's resilient. But to me Yoel was much closer to finishing that fight in 3 of the 5 rounds. — Aiemann Zahabi (@Aiemannzahabi) June 10, 2018
2-0 rubber match and didn’t make weight yeaaa na — Al Iaquinta (@ALIAQUINTA) June 10, 2018
Just cause you say in my humble opinion doesn’t mean ya being humble. ♀️ — Bec Rawlings (@RowdyBec) June 10, 2018
Why does Joe keep asking about a 3rd Fight? Makes no sense — Chris Camozzi (@ChrisCamozzi) June 10, 2018
This is absolute bullshit... 3rd fight no way this guy hasn’t made weight once — Al Iaquinta (@ALIAQUINTA) June 10, 2018
Round 3 was round of the year, that was fight of the year. That was an amazing main event. Thank you @robwhittakermma and @YoelRomeroMMA. #ufc225 — Michael Chiesa (@MikeMav22) June 10, 2018
Congrats @robwhittakermma wicked display of heart and technique. #ufc225 — Damien Brown (@beatdown155) June 10, 2018
Was a true war !! Amazing fight !! https://t.co/l63EvaIrD9 — Leonardo Santos (@LeoSantosbjj) June 10, 2018
Yoel Romero in 205 please do it — Chito Vera (@chitoveraUFC) June 10, 2018
COLBY COVINGTON DEF. RAFAEL DOS ANJOS
Colby fought a tremendous fight but RDA did not fight a smart fight IMO. @ufc — Alan Jouban (@AlanJouban) June 10, 2018
Welterweight is Great Again! — Chael Sonnen (@ChaelSonnen) June 10, 2018
What a joke. @USMAN84kg will beat the breaks off this turd. #UFC225 — Joe Ellenberger (@JoeEllenberger) June 10, 2018
Colby’s pressure and ability to force RDA into his game was well executed. Exactly what he needed to do to win that fight. RDA had his chances to move better laterally but I think the pre-fight antics from Covington helped create an emotional environment in there for RDA. #UFC225 — Kenny Florian (@kennyflorian) June 10, 2018
We all just lost !!! ♂️ #UFC225 — Derek Brunson (@DerekBrunson) June 10, 2018
I helped this guy close out camp. All the shit talking aside he is a work horse and a dedicated fighter. Congratulations @ColbyCovMMA @GamebredFighter @mikebrownmma
-@MightyJax pic.twitter.com/9LuYk9WSmr — The Diamond (@DustinPoirier) June 10, 2018
Covington is to Welterweight as Esparza is to Strawweight. Same style of getting the job done. (FYI thought she got robbed tonight) #UFC225 — Angela Hill (@AngieOverkill) June 10, 2018
Love him or loathe him, you have to be prepared for the grinding, cardio-heavy style Colby brings to the table. If you don't do your homework and train for it, it's a long night. #ufc225 pic.twitter.com/BWLBRBA5kJ — The Mane Event™ (@EliasTheodorou) June 10, 2018
Congrats to @AmericanTopTeam for producing a home grown champ. #UFC225 — Matt Schnell (@DANGER_Caged) June 10, 2018
NWERRD BASHHHH — Al Iaquinta (@ALIAQUINTA) June 10, 2018
Colby Covington is the UFC interim champion! Love him or hate him. @ColbyCovMMA is game man. He grinds and goes crazy hard. #imo — Daniel Cormier (@dc_mma) June 10, 2018
He says he is coming for Tyron do you think he beats him? — Stephen Thompson (@WonderboyMMA) June 10, 2018
Bitch Please! I let you bump your gums. Now you got smoke! I’m exposing you. You were and always will be my warm-up round! #UFC187 https://t.co/cVzrj6Iq1O — Tyron T-Wood Woodley (@TWooodley) June 10, 2018
HOLLY HOLM DEF. MEGAN ANDERSON
Smart holly, using wrestling in this one — Chito Vera (@chitoveraUFC) June 10, 2018
I like seeing Holly's ground game!! #Ufc225 — Leslie Smith (@LeslieSmith_GF) June 10, 2018
If @HollyHolm would just drive her feet she would be getting beautiful takedowns. #UFC225 — Corey Anderson UFC (@CoreyA_MMA) June 10, 2018
Congrats Holly Holm #UFC225 — Cub Swanson (@CubSwanson) June 10, 2018
Great fight by Holmes!!#UFC255 — Stephen Thompson (@WonderboyMMA) June 10, 2018
Dang it sorry y’all holm lol my bad guys — Stephen Thompson (@WonderboyMMA) June 10, 2018
Megan is tough as fuck, was a great fight but Holy really showed her experience & level in competition she’s faced. — Bec Rawlings (@RowdyBec) June 10, 2018
Wait for it. Solid victory by @HollyHolm #ufc225 Impressive game plan and execution — Damien Brown (@beatdown155) June 10, 2018
TAI TUIVASA DEF. ANDREI ARLOVSKI
That’s close and I would not be surprised if there’s a split decision here... Great to watch @bambamtuivasa hanging with the legend and pushing that pace... I got him for the W narrowly #UFC225 #ShoeyTime — Damien Brown (@beatdown155) June 10, 2018
I’m thinking arlovski has it! — Stephen Thompson (@WonderboyMMA) June 10, 2018
Arlovski once again goes to a dec against a heavy hitter. He's a crafty vet, to say the least, and people forget how good he was in his prime. #ufc225 — The Mane Event™ (@EliasTheodorou) June 10, 2018
Congrats tai ✊ ✊ ✊ ✊ ✊ https://t.co/MgGV5HFHkE — mark richard hunt (@markhunt1974) June 10, 2018
Bam bam is the man #ufc225 — Belal muhammad (@bullyb170) June 10, 2018
A shoey! That guys awesome! #UFC225 — Gerald Meerschaert (@The_Real_GM3) June 10, 2018
I love @joerogan is straight about anything #ufc225 — Chito Vera (@chitoveraUFC) June 10, 2018
MIKE JACKSON DEF. CM PUNK
Comedy — Bonecrusher (@Marc_Diakiese) June 10, 2018
This some shiiiii #UFC225 — Derek Brunson (@DerekBrunson) June 10, 2018
wtf did i just watch — Dillon Danis (@dillondanis) June 10, 2018
This fight is embarrassing I just don't get it, why will you put this on PPV #ufc226 — noad lahat (@Neo_MMA) June 10, 2018
Well at least @CMPunk is earning all that $ ... thanks for coming out. — Ian McCall (@Unclecreepymma) June 10, 2018
To many pussies hating on punk, get your money up gain more clout and you'd be able to do what you want too! — Mike "Biggie" Rhodes (@TeamRocBiggie) June 10, 2018
Acting casual and bored from top position isn’t cool, Mike Jackson. If it is so easy for you, advance and finish. #ufc225 — Sean O'Connell (@realOCsports) June 10, 2018
@cmpunk that was the worst most embarrassing fight I have ever seen and to have that on a fight card let alone a main event. Is a slap in the face for every other proper fighter. His opponent Jackson a joke as well. @ufc massive fail — Anton Zafir (@AntonZafirUFC) June 10, 2018
I don’t blame either guy for taking the opportunity to fight in the UFC but WTF, I can’t believe this is on a PPV or in the UFC — Chris Camozzi (@ChrisCamozzi) June 10, 2018
Win, lose, or draw, I’m really happy for CM Punk. Not many men would sack up to put their nuts on the line in front of millions of ppl. That’s a win in itself, whether or not he belongs in the UFC at this very moment. #UFC225 — Aljamain Sterling (@FunkMaster_UFC) June 10, 2018
Joke — John Moraga (@chicanojohn) June 10, 2018
Can you cut both fighters...?!!? #UFC225 — Emil Valhalla Meek (@emilvalhalla) June 10, 2018
This is a fucking joke #ufc225 — AlexSpartanNicholson (@spartanlife32) June 10, 2018
@CMPunk has heart! He isn’t quitting on himself! — Daniel Cormier (@dc_mma) June 10, 2018
Theres probably 100 fighters out there that have been in the @ufc and never won a fight in the octagon... Mike Jackson is about to surpass them... Congrats guy. ♂️ #ufc225 — Corey Anderson UFC (@CoreyA_MMA) June 10, 2018
Idgaf what anybody says. I respect the heart CM Punk just displayed. — Andre Fili (@TouchyFili) June 10, 2018
This....
A lot of comments in my mentions and you’re the first to recognize that he doesn’t need the money. He’s doing it because he wants to test himself and be apart of the journey of a fighter. Now that, you can’t put a price tag on. https://t.co/V3qs6MNNC0 — Aljamain Sterling (@FunkMaster_UFC) June 10, 2018
I respect cmpunk, I don’t know him, but all the ppl that talk shit or why he’s on maincard are a bunch of pussies in special fighters.Go and txt the matchmaker about it he’s the 1 making it happen or the Dana.Oh I forget you’re scare of losing your job,sorry @CMPunk sells more ha — Chito Vera (@chitoveraUFC) June 10, 2018
I’ll tell you this @CMPunk has more balls then 99 percent of people on this earth. Much love to my brother. — Erik Jon Koch (@NEWBREED04) June 10, 2018
@CMPunk Salute my brother love you. Balls of Steel and heart of gold. — Tyron T-Wood Woodley (@TWooodley) June 10, 2018
On Saturday night, MMA fans are treated to a double header of title fights as UFC 225 features Robert Whittaker defending his middleweight strap in a rematch with Yoel Romero and former lightweight champion Rafael dos Anjos taking on Colby Covington for the interim welterweight title. That’s a lot of action to be prepared for but never fear, we’ve got you covered with everything you need to know for your gambling needs this weekend.
THE FIGHTS
UFC 225, Chicago, Illinois, PPV (10 P.M. ET)
Robert Whittaker (-255/72%) vs. Yoel Romero (+215/32%)
Rafael dos Anjos (+110/48%) vs. Colby Covington (-130/57%)
Holly Holm (-225/69%) vs. Megan Anderson (+185/35%)
Andrei Arlovski (+205/33%) vs. Tai Tuivasa (-245/71%)
CM Punk (+185/35%) vs. Mike Jackson (-225/69%)
FS1 Prelims (8 P.M. ET)
Alistair Overeem (+160/38%) vs. Curtis Blaydes (-185/65%)
Claudia Gadelha (-525/84%) vs. Carla Esparza (+415/19%)
Ricardo Lamas (+210/32%) vs. Mirsad Bektic (-250/71%)
Rashad Coulter (-135/57%) vs. Chris De La Rocha (+115/47%)
UFC Fight Pass Early Prelims (6:15 P.M. ET)
Rashad Evans (+240/29%) vs. Anthony Smith (-280/74%)
Joseph Benavidez (-245/71%) vs. Sergio Pettis (+205/33%)
Clay Guida (+125/44%) vs. Charles Oliveira (-145/59%)
Mike Santiago (+105/49%) vs. Dan Ige (-125/56%)
THE BETS
Dos Anjos at +110
Since moving up to welterweight, dos Anjos has looked rejuvenated with wins over Tarec Saffiedine, Neil Magny, and former welterweight champion Robbie Lawler. However, none of those fighters were keen on testing how RDA’s takedown defense - something that’s always been a bit of a weakness - would fare moving up a weight class. Covington is certainly going to, and at the end of the day, that’s the key dynamic in this fight. But while Covington may find success early with takedowns, it seems unlikely he will be able to chain them together a la Khabib Nurmagomedov and on the feet, dos Anjos should have a clear advantage. Covington is a willing striker but still too wild and RDA will take advantage of that to punish the UFC’s most hated man and slow “Chaos” down before pulling away in the championship round. This is a coin-flip fight so the free value on RDA is a nice target.
Overeem at +160
Curtis Blaydes has proven himself to be one of the best prospects in the heavyweight division, but Alistair Overeem may be a bridge too far. Though an improving striker, Blaydes is still heavily reliant on scoring takedowns and Overeem, despite his advancing age, is an excellent defensive wrestler. Moreover, Overeem is still an top-shelf clinch fighter, so when he stuffs Blaydes’ shot, “The Reem” can punish Blaydes’ body with knees, taking the wind out of the young heavyweight’s sails. A Blaydes win wouldn’t be shocking but at the end of the day, this feels like a bad style match up for him.
Pettis at +205
For the last six years, Joseph Benavidez has been one of the best flyweights on the planet, and in a world without Demetrious Johnson, might be considered an all-time great MMA fighter akin to “Mighty Mouse” or Georges St-Pierre. But, at 33 years old, Benavidez hasn’t fought since 2016 and even then didn’t look amazing, edging out a controversial decision to Henry Cejudo. Conversely, Sergio Pettis is still only 24 years old and has been making consistent improvements in game every time out. Perhaps, Benavidez has enough left in the tank to best Pettis and earn one more shot at “Mighty Mouse.” However, he isn’t the same caliber of wrestler as Cejudo nor as active nor as active on the feet, meaning Pettis is going to have much more of an opportunity to effectuate his style than Cejudo allowed. Add in the long layoff for Benavidez, and his displeasure with the UFC’s promotion, and this sure looks a lot like a changing of the guard kind of fight.
THE REST
There is some decent parlay fodder on this card for those inclined - Gadelha, Tuivasa, Whittaker - but nothing too spicy as to demand action. Bektic is close to demanding a bet but out of respect for Lamas’ decade as a top five featherweight, -250 isn’t quite attractive enough. And for the truly adventurous of you, a bet on CM Punk is actually decent value since no one really has any idea what is going to happen in this fight and, frankly, Mike Jackson shouldn’t be a -200 favorite to anyone really.
That’s all for this week. If you have any questions or just want to let me know what action you’re on, get at me on Twitter @JedKMeshew. Good luck and enjoy the fights!
(Editor’s note: All of this advice is for entertainment purposes only.)
UFC 225 may have been a little sloppy, but at the end of the night when Robert Whittaker and Yoel Romero went toe-to-toe over the final 15 minutes, all bets were off. The pair of top middleweights picked up where things left off in their rematch atop the card from Chicago with both fighters laying it all on the line in what was considered the best round of the year to date.
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By the time the final horn rang, both men were exhausted and gasping for air, but both knew they had just put on a hell of a show with Whittaker walking away victorious by split decision. Plus, a new interim champion was crowned in the form of Colby "Chaos" Covington.
CBS Sports was with you for every punch, kick and submission attempt from the United Center on Saturday night with our live blog and updates below. Check out the full results here.
UFC 225 card/results
Robert Whittaker (c) def. Yoel Romero via split decision (48-47, 47-48, 48-47)
Colby Covington def. Rafael dos Anjos via unanimous decision (49-46, 48-47, 48-47)
Holly Holm def. Megan Anderson via unanimous decision 30-27, 30-26, 30-26
Tai Tuivasa def. Andrei Arlovski via unanimous decision 29-28, 29-28, 29-28
Mike Jackson def. CM Punk via unanimous decision (30-26, 30-26, 30-26)
Curtis Blaydes def. Alistair Overeem via third-round TKO (elbows)
Claudia Gadleha def. Carla Esparza via split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)
Mirsad Bektic def. Ricardo Lamas via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 30-27)
Chris De La Rocha def. Rashad Coulter via second-round TKO (strikes)
UFC 225 updates
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