Even though UFC middleweight champion Robert Whittaker won’t be defending his title later tonight (Sat., June 9, 2018) at UFC 225 live on pay-per-view (PPV) from inside United Center in Chicago, Ill., at least the young Australian has the opportunity to once again hand Yoel Romero a loss.
Whittaker, 27, is one of the most complete fighters in the promotion today. And even though he’s lost before inside of the Octagon, including a 2014 TKO defeat to Stephen Thompson at welterweight, “Bobby Knuckles” has racked off seven-straight wins at 185 pounds. That includes a previous unanimous decision win over “Soldier of God” that won Whittaker the interim strap (later turned into the undisputed title).
In preparation for Whittaker’s return to the cage, we take a look back at when it all started to come together for the middleweight striker. UFC has kindly released Whittaker’s first Octagon appearance at 185 pounds back at UFC Fight Night 55 (shown above), featuring a second-round TKO win over a hard-nosed Clint Hester. The finish was only Whittaker’s second under UFC rule and led to Fight of the Night honors.
While Hester isn’t even close to Romero in the skill department, Whittaker’s destruction of “Headbussa” in his middleweight debut proved that he belongs that 185 pounds. Another victory over “Soldier of God” tonight, especially if it’s a decisive finish, will solidify Whittaker as the best middleweight on the planet.