The UFC recently confirmed that middleweight champion Israel Adesanya (18-0-0) will defend his belt against Yoel Romero (13-4-0) at UFC 248 in Las Vegas.
“Stylebender” won the title at UFC 243 in October 2019, defeating Robert Whittaker and becoming the undisputed champion. Undefeated in 18 contests, the 30-year-old New Zealander will have his hands full with the former title contender in Romero.
*2nd time. Get it right! https://t.co/Suw1nh91fH
— Israel Adesanya (@stylebender) January 19, 2020
Despite losing three of his last four matchups, Romero is ranked No. 3 in the official middleweight rankings. Age may be the former Cuban Olympian’s biggest factor. At 42 years old, Romero has missed weight in two of his last three contests. Still, the “Solider of God” has proven to be a tough out and should be motivated to capture his first UFC title in Las Vegas.
I’m telling my kids this was @stylebender #iseeyousoonboi pic.twitter.com/8PLTKH7rlz
— Peoples Champ (@YoelRomeroMMA) November 22, 2019
UFC 248 is scheduled for Mar. 7, 2020 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
Scheduled bouts include:
Zhang Weili (20-1-0) vs. Joanna Jedrzejczyk (16-3-0)
Jared Cannonier (13-4-0) vs TBA
Neil Magny (21-7-0) vs. Jinglang Li (17-5-0)
Beneil Dariush (17-4-1) vs. Drakkar Klose (11-1-1)
Emily Whitmire (4-3-0) vs. Polyana Viana (10-4-0)
Jose Alberto Quinonez (8-3-0) vs. Sean O’Malley (10-0-0)
Rodolfo Viera (6-0-0) vs. Saparbek Safarov (9-2-0)
Guido Cannetti (8-4-0) vs. Danaa Batgerel (6-2-0)
More bouts are expected to be announced.