The final UFC fight of June, and thus the final fight before the Reebok deal kicks in, was a pivotal middleweight clash between Lyoto Machida and Yoel Romero in Hollywood, Florida. For Machida, another loss would signify the end of his days as a contender. Cuba’s Romero came into this fight twice losing out on the chance to fight Jacare Souza for #1 contender, but a win over Machida nonetheless would stand as the biggest in his career.
Brazilian fans were quite vocal early for Machida as he threw several high kicks in the opening minute. Romero was very conservative in the opening 2 minutes, not even attempting a takedown or throwing any significant strikes. Machida was able to land a few leg kicks and a knee to the body, while Romero clipped Lyoto with a right hand that seem to get his attention. All in all, a very tentative opening round by Romero.
The Cuban contingent for the “Romero” chant going as Romero slowly but surely found his range and timing, connecting on several hard power punches. He jarred Lyoto with a big left and had him backing up each time he got hit flush. Machida found more success with his kicks than his punches. Romero tried a Pettis-esque off-the-cage move, only he threw a punch and not a kick.
A lack of takedowns for Romero was the theme in the first two rounds. Well the first takedown he attempted also spelled the end of Machida’s night. Romero charged Machida, took him down, and then threw some left elbows and right elbows before permanently switching to his right arm and elbowing Machida about 4-5 times before his head started bouncing off the canvas. John McCarthy had to stop the fight.
Official Result: Yoel Romero (10-1 MMA, 6-0 UFC) def. Lyoto Machida (22-7 MMA, 14-7 UFC) via KO (elbows) at 1:38 in round 3
It’s another 3rd round finish for Romero. In fact, it’s his 4th one in his 6 career victories inside the Octagon. For Machida, it’s back-to-back losses and his first KO loss since the Shogun Rua rematch in 2010. This is surely the end of his days as a contender in any weight class.