No. 6-ranked Yoel Romero upset No. 4-ranked Lyoto Machida with an impressive third round TKO victory Saturday night at UFC Fight Night 70 in Hollywood, Florida.
But his win was overshadowed by some controversial post-fight comments that he later clarified in the post-fight press conference.
Lorenz Larkin and Santiago Ponzinibbio secured Fight-of-the-Night honours, while Romero and Thiago Santos earned performance-of-the-night. They each earned a $50,000 USD bonus.
Welcome back to The Crossfire.
MMA Crossfire Expert Kenai Andrews checks in.
Courtesy UFC/Zuffa LLC.HACRAN DIAS VS LEVAN MAKASHVILLI
Hacran Dias of Brazil punches Levan Makashvili in their featherweight during the UFC Fight Night event at the Hard Rock Live on June 27, 2015 in Hollywood, Florida. (Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty ImagesWINNER: HACRAN DIAS VIA SPLIT-DECISION (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
ANDREWS PREDICTION: HACRAN DIAS VIA UNANIMOUS DECISION
Andrews: Not a barnburner of a fight, but the fight was closer than I expected, thanks to Makashvilli’s performance.
THIAGO SANTOS VS STEVE BOSSE
Thiago Santos of Brazil lands a kick to the head of Steve Bosse of Canada in their middleweight during the UFC Fight Night event at the Hard Rock Live on June 27, 2015 in Hollywood, Florida. (Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)WINNER: THIAGO SANTOS VIA TKO VIA TKO R1 0:29
ANDREWS PREDICTION: THIAGO SANTOS VIA TKO
Andrews: Santos caught Bosse with a highlight-reel headkick. Bosse will look at the tape, correct his footwork and will be back. In the meantime, great win for Santos.
ANTONIO CARLOS JUNIOR VS EDDIE GORDON
Antonio Carlos Junior of Brazil attempts a submission against Eddie Gordon in their middleweight during the UFC Fight Night event at the Hard Rock Live on June 27, 2015 in Hollywood, Florida. (Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)WINNER: ANTONIO CARLOS JUNIOR VIA SUBMISSION
ANDREWS PREDICTION: ANTONIO CARLOS JUNIOR VIA SUBMISSION R3 4:37
Andrews: As expected, ACJ took the fight to the ground and then worked the rear naked choke. Now, if he can be more consistent, good things will follow. Good win for ACP.
SANTIAGO PONZINIBBIO VS LORENZ LARKIN
Lorenz Larkin punches Santiago Ponzinibbio of Argentina in their welterweight during the UFC Fight Night event at the Hard Rock Live on June 27, 2015 in Hollywood, Florida. (Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)WINNER: LORENZ LARKIN VIA TKO R2 2:07
ANDREWS PREDICTION: LORENZ LARKIN VIA TKO
Andrews: Santiago had his opportunities to put away Larkin, but got caught with some stiff shots that forced referee Herb Dean to wave off the fight.
MAIN EVENT
#4 LYOTO “THE DRAGON” MACHIDA (22-6-0) VS #6 “SOLDIER OF GOD” YOEL ROMERO (9-1-0)
Yoel Romero of Cuba lunges at Lyoto Machida of Brazil in their middleweight during the UFC Fight Night event at the Hard Rock Live on June 27, 2015 in Hollywood, Florida. (Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)WINNER: YOEL ROMERO VIA TKO R3 1:38
ANDREWS PREDICTION: LYOTO MACHDIA VIA UNANIMOUS DECISION
Andrews: The puzzle of Lyoto Machida was cracked long ago, but Yoel’s smash mouth method solidifies one more method to put away The Dragon. Excellent win for Romero and one must now wonder how far away the 37-year-old Machida is from calling it a career.
Great breakdown of card etc !!
Tanks man!