By Garrett Pelto
When: Saturday, June 9
Prelims – 8:00 p.m. EST
Main Card – 10:00 p.m. EST
Where: Chicago, Illinois
How: Prelims – Fox Sports 1
Main Card – Pay-Per-View
WOO! UFC 225 is almost here! UFC’s biggest event since UFC 224 on May 12 Amanda Nunes and Raquel Pennington (when Raquel asked her corner to end the fight after breaking her nose). 225 is arguably the best fight card of the year and here is why…
Robert Whittaker vs. Yoel Romero (Middleweight title):
Robert “The Reaper” Whittaker is the current middleweight champion with a 10-2 record in the UFC losing to Stephen Thompson by TKO and Court McGee in split decision. He became the champ after beating Yoel “Soldier of God” Romero via unanimous decision in his last fight at UFC 213 almost a year ago and after Georges St. Pierre retired his belt.
Romero, who was undefeated until his fight against Whittaker, knocked out Luke Rockhold in February 2018 at UFC 221 (in which Romero missed weight) to improve his UFC record to 9-1.
So now we have the rematch.
These guys are two strong fighters that almost mirror each other. Romero has more strength in wrestling and boxing while Whittaker is the overall better stand-up fighter. In their last fight, it seemed like the two just bounced off each other. Either trying to clinch or throw some punches inside.
The downside to Romero’s wrestling and grappling skills is that he seems to tire himself out. Romero will most likely look for a quick TKO or submission because otherwise Whittaker can last all five rounds. Easily.
I believe Whittaker is the better fighter and has way more endurance, but he will have to fend off a big push from Romero trying to take him down in the early rounds.
Whittaker def. Romero via TKO in fifth round
Rafael dos Anjos vs. Colby Covington (Interim welterweight title):
Rafael dos Anjos is 17-7 in UFC fights while Colby Covington is 8-1 in the UFC.
RDA, the MMA veteran, last beat Robbie Lawler via unanimous decision in December 2017 at UFC on Fox 26.
“Chaos” Covington the newbee won via unanimous decision against the backpack Damian Maia. In consistency with his bold statements, he has… some balls… with his latest remarks for his upcoming fight:
Based solely off of previous competition, I give dos Anjos the upperhand in this interim welterweight title. He has won against opponents like Donald Cerrone, Nate Diaz, Anthony Pettis, Benson Henderson and Robbie Lawler. Aka no slouches. But Covington is young and talks a big game that makes me think he is capable of knocking some veterans out.
Covington def. dos Anjos via TKO in third round
Megan Anderson vs. Holly Holm (Women’s featherweight):
Megan Anderson is 8-2 in her MMA fights, but this will be her UFC debut. Holly “The Preacher’s Daughter” Holm, known for beating Ronda Rousey and Raquel Pennington, is 4-4 in UFC.
It’s hard to get a real read on Anderson being that she hasn’t fought on a big stage against bigger competition. Holm is a great boxer and kickboxer, so it is scary when she lands a big blow or gets her hands on her opponent, period.
While Anderson is the taller, younger fighter, I think the lights will be too bright for her at this point in her career.
Holm def. Anderson via TKO in third round
Andrei Arlovski vs. Tai Tuivasa (Heavyweight):
Andrei “The Pit Bull” Arlovski is 6-5 in UFC fights while Tai Tuivasa is 2-0 in his UFC fights.
As much as I like Arlovski, he can be rather unpredictable. This time around, he is fighting a BIG dude in Tuivasa. Tuivasa is so big, that I don’t think Arlovski will be able to get around Tuivasa in the octagon.
All seven wins of Tuivasa’s MMA career have been TKO’s. They call the guy “Bam Bam”, like come on. I believe he will throw some hard elbows and heavy hands. Maybe even a flying knee to start and end the fight early.
Tuivasa def. Arlovski via TKO in round one
CM Punk vs. Mike Jackson (Welterweight):
Not much to say for this fight. I am confused as to why Alistair Overeem vs. Curtis Blaydes isn’t on the main card, but this fight is.
Both these fighters are 0-1 in the UFC. Both getting rear-naked choked in 2016.
I really do not think much of CM Punk‘s career, especially coming from professional wrestling where everything appears to be staged acrobatics. At least Mike Jackson has some years of MMA under his belt.
Jackson def. Punk via unanimous decision
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