UFC 221: Romero vs Rockhold Betting Odds and Predictions
The UFC heads to Australia for the first time this year when 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 compelling bouts to stay diehard fans intrigued.
The main event features Yoel Romero and Luke Rockhold facing off. This bout was for the interim middleweight crown but following Romero failed to make weight, the title will only be on the line for Rockhold. The rest of the card is filled with loads of hometown talent that’ll look to find the crowd in Perth excited 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 base of Romero game. At the striking stage, the Cuban only floats and waits for his moment to explode to strikes. It functions exactly the same for his wrestling. Romero is a Olympic wrestler and depends upon that skill set over any other but he still prefers to land takedowns with explosiveness instead of grinding it out.
However, Romero has a gas tank that is small. He is patient in the Octagon since he burns off his cardio extremely fast. You are able to see him visibly breathing heavily after a big explosion of motion. That is why his whole game is built around controlled proportions of energy leading to controlling his opponent.
Not to be outdone, Rockhold (-150) is much more athletically gifted than 95 percent of those fighters in the UFC. The former winner is powerful and fast but uses his natural size advantage better than most in the branch, whether that is working from range supporting his left body and hook kick or controlling the leverage battle from the clinch. Offensively wrestling is not something Rockhold concentrates on — unless functioning from the clinch — but he is one of the craftier submission fighters in the branch.
There are holes in the game of Rockhold. The only minor flaw which sticks out is that his inclination to rely on particular strikes on the feet. He can rely a lot on his left body and hook kick, telegraphing and giving a chance to get countered.
Romero is as dangerous 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 has proven that — but Rockhold’s clinch function will wear Romero down.
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