UFC 221 went down in Perth, Australia, last night. Yoel Romero and Luke Rockhold clashed in the main event, with the interim belt on the line only for ‘Rocky.’
Heading into UFC 221, a lot of attention was paid to Yoel Romero’s blunder on the scales. Originally set for the interim title, the main event clash with Luke Rockhold was downgraded, at least for ‘Soldier of God.’
After missing weight on both attempts, Romero was still able to fight but the interim belt was not on the line for the Cuban. Suddenly, considering his difficulties making 185 pounds, Rockhold winning the junior belt was looking more and more likely.
‘Rocky’ hadn’t fought since defeating David Branch in mid-2017, which was his first fight since being KO’d by Michael Bisping in mid-2016. Needless to say, this was a big night for Rockhold, but he dropped the ball against Romero in the third round.
Once again, it was the low hands of Rockhold that presented the opening:
😳 Lights out. Goodnight. 😳
Yoel Romero with a brutal highlight reel knockout of Luke Rockhold at #UFC221 💪 pic.twitter.com/cwoT7eteL1
— UFC on BT Sport (@btsportufc) February 11, 2018
Rocky Road For Rockhold
So Rockhold’s night ended with a brutal KO loss, of course it was now time for the internet to give its reaction. From fighters to fans, there was an undertone of dislike for ‘Rocky’ in his moment of need.
Check out the most savage reactions to Yoel Romero knocking out Luke Rockhold at UFC 221:
Luke Rockhold born a porn star but wasted his whole life in MMA 🙁
— UFC YouTube Comments (@UFC_YT_Comments) February 11, 2018
Luke Rockhold can't seem to decide if he wants to be a fighter that's a douchebag or if he just wants to be a regular guy that's a douchebag.
— Suzanne Daviƨ (@SoozieCuzie) February 11, 2018
Luke Rockhold got knocked the fuck out, then woke up to Yoel Romero kissing him. He's not gonna be the same for a long time. #UFC221
— Anthony (@anthonykmart) February 11, 2018
Fuck you @LukeRockhold bad person.
— Antonio Pezao Silva (@BigfootSilva) February 11, 2018
OMG!!! Yoel Romero just sent Luke Rockhold to the upside-down. Damn. 3rd knockout.
— Chamatkar Sandhu (@SandhuMMA) February 11, 2018
Went to bed early last night and woke up to find out that Luke Rockhold came in way light for tonight’s fight for the interim belt in the 188-pound division.
— Jeff Wagenheim (@jeffwagenheim) February 10, 2018
*get knocked out by you tomorrow
— mickygallimore (@mickygallimore) February 10, 2018
Yoel Romero KOs Luke Rockhold in the third round. Brutal knockout. UFC middleweight chaos continues #UFC221
— Mike Bohn (@MikeBohnMMA) February 11, 2018
Nice overhand left by @YoelRomeroMMA but the ear beating he gave @LukeRockhold was inhumane. #ufc221
— Todd Duffee (@ToddDuffee) February 11, 2018
HOLY S*** .@YoelRomeroMMA came with the uppercut that knocked him back to the 5th grade. #UFC221
— Andrew Holbrook (@AndrewHolbrook) February 11, 2018
UFC 221 RESULTS:
Luke Rockhold vs. Yoel Romero — Romero def. Rockhold by KO (punches) at 1:48 of Round Three
Mark Hunt vs. Curtis Blaydes — Blaydes def. Hunt by unanimous decision (30-26 x2, 29-27)
Cyril Asker vs. Tai Tuivasa — Tuivasa def. Asker by TKO (punches and elbows) at 2:18 of Round One
Li Jingliang vs. Jake Matthews — Matthews def. Li by unanimous decision (29-28, 30-26 x2)
Tyson Pedro vs. Saparbek Safarov — Pedro def. Safarov by submission (kimura) at 3:54 of Round One
Damien Brown vs. Dong Hyun Kim — Kim def. Brown by split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
Israel Adesanya vs. Rob Wilkinson — Adesanya def. Wilkinson by TKO (punches) at 3:37 of Round Two
Jeremy Kennedy vs. Alex Volkanovski — Volkanovski def. Kennedy by TKO (punches) at 4:57 of Round Two
Jussier Formiga vs. Ben Nguyen — Formiga def. Nguyen by technical submission (rear naked choke) at 1:43 of Round Three
Mizuto Hirota vs. Ross Pearson — Pearson def. Hirota by unanimous decision (30-27 x2, 29-28)
Teruto Ishihara vs. Jose Quinonez — Quinonez def. Ishihara by unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
Daichi Abe vs. Luke Jumeau — Jumeau def. Abe by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-27, 28-27)
