UFC 221: Romero vs Rockhold Betting Odds and Predictions
The UFC heads to Australia for the first time this year once it sets up shop in Perth for UFC 221. Though the card is far from the sexiest you will see, there are still plenty of persuasive bouts to stay diehard fans interested.
The main event features Yoel Romero and Luke Rockhold facing away. This bout was for the interim middleweight crown but following Romero failed to make weight, the name will only be on the line for Rockhold. The rest of the card is stuffed with plenty of hometown ability that’ll look to get the crowd in Perth eager for their first event ever.
Yoel Romero vs Luke Rockhold
Romero (+120) is an athletic freak. Regardless of being 40 years old,”The Soldier of God” has more speed, ability and athleticism than fighters half his age. This is the foundation of Romero’s entire game. In the striking stage, the Cuban only floats and waits for his moment to burst to strikes. It works exactly the same because of his wrestling. Romero is an Olympic wrestler and relies on that skill set over any other but he still prefers to land takedowns with explosiveness instead of grinding it out.
Romero has a small gas tank. He’s individual in the Octagon because he burns off his cardio extremely quickly. You are able to see him visibly breathing after a big explosion of motion. That is exactly why his whole game is built around controlled proportions of energy resulting in controlling his competitor.
Not to be outdone, Rockhold (-150) is more athletically gifted than 95% of those fighters in the UFC. The former winner is powerful and fast but uses his normal size advantage better than most in the branch, whether that’s working from range behind his left hook and body kick or controlling the leverage battle from the clinch. Offensively wrestling isn’t something Rockhold concentrates on — unless working from the clinch — but he is just one of the craftier entry fighters in the division.
There are not many holes in the game of Rockhold. The only minor flaw that sticks out is that his inclination to rely on particular strikes on the toes. He can rely too much on his left body and hook kick, telegraphing and giving a chance to become countered.
Romero is as harmful as they come but his cardio is simply not there to compete with Rockhold. “The Soldier of God” can always land a KO shot — he’s proven that — but Rockhold’s clinch work will put on Romero down.
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