[RANK5=Hyon Ko] Yoel Romero confirmed on the "JRE MMA Show" that he is set to rematch UFC Middleweight Champion Robert Whittaker in Chicago at UFC 225 on June 9.
Whittaker won the interim title against Romero at UFC 213 last July in a surprising performance by the Aussie leading to a unanimous decision. Later that year, he was promoted to undisputed champion after Georges St. Pierre relinquished the belt due to health issues.
Unfortunately, Whittaker missed out on defending his strap against Luke Rockhold at UFC 221 in Perth since he fell ill a few weeks before the event and therefore Yoel Romero opportunistically stepped up on short notice and finished the AKA staple in the third round.
Even though "The Soldier of God" missed weight for the interim title fight, it did not matter because he is getting his shot at Whittaker immediately.
The rematch will serve as the main event of the UFC 225.
Other notable matchups announced for the event are Claudia Gadelha versus former women's UFC strawweight champ Carla Esparza, Sergio Pettis versus Joseph Benavidez, former Strikeforce heavyweight champion Alistair Overeem versus Curtis Blaydes and former UFC light heavyweight king Rashad Evans versus Anthony Smith.
고현 jhkmma@gmail.com
