It’s been a very eventful last couple days in the UFC and it has nothing to do with this upcoming fight night card featuring Lyoto Machida and Yoel Romero. The UFC’s biggest event of the year, UFC 189, was in jeopardy after it was reported that Jose Aldo had suffered a broken rib in training. As some of you may know I’m attending UFC 189, so it was a stressful couple days for me before we heard the news that it’s just a bad bone bruise that won’t be keeping Aldo out of the fight against McGregor at UFC 189. Now that I’m relieved about that I can turn my attention to UFC Fight Night 70 in Hollywood, Florida.
The card isn’t exactly loaded with talent, but the main event of Lyoto Machida vs Yoel Romero is one that I’m interested in watching. That’s really the only fight I have enough knowledge of to feel comfortable handicapping, so I will just be giving my pick for that fight.
Lyoto Machida vs Yoel Romero
This is a very quick turn around fight for Machida, who just lost to Rockhold via rear-naked choke in April. It’s just two months later and Machida is back in the ring, headlining another Fight Night card, against another fighter looking to work his way towards a title shot. Machida did not look very good against Rockhold. He looked sluggish and slow. Rockhold dominated him everywhere the fight went. That said, I’m going to give Machida a pass for that fight. Everyone has off nights. He looked good against Weidman in their title fight in July of last year and he made short work of CB Dolloway in December. I still think Machida is a top fighter in the Middleweight division.
At 38 years old, Yoel Romero is actually a year older than Machida. I thought he lost that fight to Tim Kennedy, and then took extra time between rounds before getting a lucky KO. That’s really the only decent win he has on his resume and I don’t believe it was a win. Machida is another step up for Romero and I just don’t expect him to be able to keep up with Machida’s unique striking.
Look for Machida to finish this fight, just like Kennedy did. Except for the refs to actually stop it this time around.
Play: Machida -180 @ BetOnline.ag
That’s it for this card. Check back over the next few weeks for more on UFC 189. I’m going to be doing a few different posts for that stacked card.
lyoto machida • UFC Fight Night • Yoel Romero