Luke Rockhold responds to Yoel Romero’s post-fight antics at UFC 221
Luke Rockhold responds to Yoel Romero’s post-fight antics at UFC 221
Yoel Romero scored a brutal second-round knockout victory over former middleweight champion Luke Rockhold in the headliner of last month’s UFC 221 event in Perth, Australia.
Just moments after sending Rockhold into a state of unconsciousness, Romero somehow managed to be the first man to speak with Luke.
Obviously that first encounter with Luke should have come from a ringside physician, but for whatever reason officials and security did not prevent Romero from walking up to Rockhold.
After embracing Rockhold and sharing a few words, Romero then proceeded to kiss Luke on his cheek.
Speaking with Ariel Helwani on The MMA Hour, Rockhold shared his thoughts on the incident and as expected he was not happy about it.
“For him to come across the cage like that, it’s just ridiculous for them (The Western Australia Combat Sports Commission) to let him do that,” Rockhold said. “Not a big fan of how he carries himself. He’s a bit fake. I’m not really saying how I feel. I am who I am. Like it or hate it.”
Rockhold admitted that the weight cut down to 185-pounds left him feeling less than 100% on fight night.
“Yoel felt strong,” Rockhold said. “He felt big. I didn’t feel my best. The weight cuts are getting to me these days.”
With that said, Rockhold is now expected to move up a weight class and compete in the promotions 205-pound division.
Waiting for Rockhold at light heavyweight could be a potential trilogy bout with rival Michael Bisping. The tie-breaking battle between the former middleweight champions has been rumored for July’s UFC 226 event in Las Vegas.
Romero has gone an impressive 9-1 over his past ten fights which includes nasty knockout victories over Clifford Starks, Ronny Markes, Derek Brunson, Tim Kennedy, Lyoto Machida, Chris Weidman and most recently the aforementioned Luke Rockhold.
Topics:
Luke Rockhold Yoel Romero
