Photo by Ezra Shaw/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
UFC probably still sore over this box-office bomb.
Reigning Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) middleweight champion, Israel Adesanya, recently called out former title contender Yoel Romero. As luck would have it, “Soldier of God” accepted the fight and asked the promotion to name the time and place.
So why won’t UFC book the fight?
Turns out a title defense against Romero won’t sell and well, this is the prize fighting business. When promotion president Dana White tells the mixed martial arts (MMA) media that he gives the fans what they want, what he really means is he’ll give them what they’re willing to pay for.
“I’ve never ever backed out from anyone,” Adesanya told TMZ Sports. “I’ve never backed down, never will. He’s fucking getting told by his manager to say that. Why else? Yeah, I’ve called the guy out, I’ve said I want to fight him, the UFC don’t think that’s going to sell, but fuck records, I just want to fight. I want Yoel, but if they can’t make that happen we have some ideas. Business in order.”
Adesanya (18-0) was expected to fight Paulo Costa in early 2020; however, “The Eraser” was rubbed out by bicep surgery and won’t be back for longer than UFC is willing to wait. As for Romero (13-4), he’s dropped back-to-back fights and three of his last four.
Behind him is the No. 4 ranked Jared Cannonier.
Since a Jon Jones super fight is out of the question, I’m not sure what Plan B is at this time. And no disrespect to “Killa Gorilla,” who earned his place in line, but would Adesanya vs. Cannonier be a bigger draw than Adesanya vs. Romero?