In a main event that feels like it was just announced yesterday, the UFC is pitting two of its top 185-pounders center stage in Hollywood, Florida.
Lyoto Machida and Yoel Romero will lock horns in the main event of UFC Fight Night 70, in what is likely the Brazilian striker’s final opportunity to ignite a run for UFC gold.
Machida is looking to stake a return to glory, as his last outing didn’t necessarily go according to plan. He didn’t look like a karate savant who’s been busy embarrassing most fighters inside the Octagon for the past eight years, but more like a 37-year-old fighter who’s no longer capable of dealing with bigger, stronger fighters a few years his junior.
But Romero’s not immune to lingering questions of his own. Last time we saw him, he was busy sneaking in a few extra seconds in between rounds just before clobbering Tim Kennedy at UFC 178. It wouldn’t have been as controversial if, you know, he wasn’t saved by the bell at the end of the second round. Still, save for a brief barrage from Kennedy, Romero looked as impressive as ever—and we can’t take that away from him.
Too many components cloud a surefire prediction in this one, but let us try, anyway. Follow along as we break this fight down from head to toe.