The Bloody Elbow staff has made its own predictions for Saturday’s UFC 221 card in Perth, Australia. Opinion is rather divided on who will win the primary event between Luke Rockhold and Yoel Romero, which is fitting considering the 50-50 nature of the one. Our ideas are also split on the co-main between Mark Hunt and Curtis Blaydes. In terms of the rest of the card? Yeah… completely unanimous.
Note: Predictions are entered throughout the week and gathered the day before the event. Explanations behind every choice aren’t required and a few writers opt not to do so for their own reasons. For example, if Phil Mackenzie entered all of his predictions on Wednesday without adding in any explanationshe has no idea if he is going to be the only one siding with one fighter for any specific fight.
Luke Rockhold vs. Yoel Romero
Anton Tabuena: Romero does not have MMA wrestling that is on par with his credentials, and if this does go to the ground, which is Rockhold’s entire world. So this basically boils down to Romero landing a bomb, or he labored by the more technical and complete fighter. Romero has electricity and he can certainly put out his lights at any point, but I simply think Rockhold is your much superior MMA fighter in general. Unless Rockhold starts slow and gets cluttered, he should be able to control space, land those big kicks, and maybe finish this on the ground. Luke Rockhold by TKO.
Mookie Alexander: Selfishly, I want Rockhold to acquire because it is just more interesting to see him against Robert Whittaker than Whittaker vs. Romero two, a struggle I think Whittaker wins even more than he did the first time. Romero isn’t a guy who finishes people quickly, but the mere fact that he’s so dangerous in the later rounds presents a different challenge for Luke. Nevertheless, I hope Rockhold’s cardio to hold up in a five-rounder, he’s got a more varied ground game than Romero (zero livelihood submission efforts ), and that I think his cries will be crucial to effecting Romero’s gas tank as the fight progresses. You always have to be concerned about Romero’s KO power, as well as the possibility for him to put Rockhold on his back and deliver some punishment, but I believe Rockhold gets the win in a tough, highly competitive contest. Luke Rockhold by decision.
Read more here: http://kradleandklass.com/2019/09/25/ufc-ottawa-announced-with-several-bouts-including-derek-brunson-vs-elias-theodorou/