The Bloody Elbow team has made its picks for UFC 225, and I am not even sure I should really be calling this”UFC 225: Whittaker vs. Romero 2.” For the time being, Robert Whittaker and Yoel Romero has not yet been cancelled following Romero’s weight reduction, but we know that it’s not for a title fight. Theoretically this likely should be Rafael dos Anjos vs. Colby Covington because the main event, irrespective of the standing of Whittaker vs. Romero.
Anyway, everyone is going with Robert Whittaker more than Yoel Romero for Saturday night. In terms of the co-main event, only Phil Mackenzie is going with Colby Covington to beat Rafael dos Anjos and become the interim welterweight champion.
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UFC 225: Whittaker vs. Romero 2 staff picks and predictions for your preliminary card
Note: Predictions are entered throughout the week and gathered before the event. Explanations behind every pick aren’t required and some writers opt to not do so for their own reasons. For example, if Phil Mackenzie entered all of his predictions on Wednesday without adding in any excuses , he has no idea if he is likely to be the only one siding with a single fighter for any given fight.
Robert Whittaker vs. Yoel Romero
Anton Tabuena: Romero will always be harmful, but Whittaker is likely to function as one who has made the most improvements since their first bout. I would’ve chosen Whittaker before Romero appearing like passing on the scale, and I anticipate a one-sided affair this time. Robert Whittaker by late TKO.
Mookie Alexander: Well Romero. This is presently a non-title bout, and it has three rounds (I am presuming ). Anyway, these were my ideas before the burden miss, and nothing changes here. My selection hinges almost entirely on Whittaker not looking depleted after all of the health issues that plagued him earlier in the year. His takedown defense is phenomenal, and even when Romero caught him down, he could not hold him there… which was even with Whittaker’s knee getting jacked by Romero in the opening round! I really don’t feel that changes in the rematch, and he fights at a speed and instances his strikes much better than Yoel does. Their very first bout is still the only time Romero has been outlanded at a UFC fight. I am expecting Romero to combat this one strategically as he did vs. Luke Rockhold. But, Rockhold is a fairly simple and comparatively wooden striker, whereas Whittaker cuts throws and angles in penalizing combinations. I understand there’s the third-round Romero fear, but do not rule out Whittaker planting Romero using a head kick. The pick remains Robert Whittaker by conclusion, although I’m hoping we get another thriller.

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