After weeks of speculation, it’s official – Robert Whittaker will defend his middleweight championship against Yoel Romero at UFC 225 in Chicago according to BJPenn.com.
Whittaker was scheduled to make the first defence of his title against Luke Rockhold at UFC 221 in Perth but a leg injury forced the Australian out of the bout.
Instead, Rockhold fought Romero, originally for the interim title before Romero missed weight meaning he was ineligible to win the interim belt. The Cuban won via TKO to earn his shot at the title.
Whittaker fought Romero back at UFC 213 taking home a decision victory to win the interim belt but he later became the undisputed champion when Georges St-Pierre vacated the title after dethroning Michael Bisping at UFC 217.
Romero will now get the chance to avenge his only loss in the UFC, just the second defeat he has suffered in his professional mixed martial arts career.
Speaking on the Joe Rogan Experience, Romero said the fight was close to being made and now sources have revealed it will main event the Chicago pay-per-view.
UFC 225 is also set to feature the highly anticipated return of CM Punk who is searching for the first win of his professional career after losing to Mickey Gall in his debut at UFC 203.
Also featuring on the card is a heavyweight collision between rising star Curtis Blaydes and one of the best heavyweights of all time in Alistair Overeem.
An official bout announcement for Whittaker x Romero 2 is expected in the coming days.
Who will take the rematch – Whittaker or Romero? Comment below!
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