UFC 221: Romero vs. Rockhold staff picks and predictions

The Bloody Elbow staff has made its own predictions for Saturday’s UFC 221 card in Perth, Australia. Opinion is rather divided on who will win the main event between Luke Rockhold and Yoel Romero, which is fitting considering the 50-50 nature of this one. Our ideas are also divided on the co-main between Mark Hunt and Curtis Blaydes. As for the rest of the card? Yeah… fully forgettable.
Note: Predictions are entered during the week and collected the day prior to the event. Explanations behind each choice are not required and some authors opt to not do so for their own reasons. For example, if Phil Mackenzie entered all his predictions on Wednesday without adding in any excuses , he has no idea if he is likely to be the only one siding with a single fighter for any given fight.
Luke Rockhold vs. Yoel Romero
Anton Tabuena: Romero does not have MMA wrestling which is on par with his qualifications, and when this does go to the floor, that will be Rockhold’s world. So this essentially boils down to Romero landing a bomb, or him worked by the more technical and complete fighter. Romero has power and that he can certainly put his lights out at any stage, but I simply think Rockhold is your far superior MMA fighter overall. Unless Rockhold starts slow and gets cluttered, he ought to be able to control distance, land those huge kisses, and possibly finish this on the ground. Luke Rockhold by TKO.
Mookie Alexander: Selfishly, I need Rockhold to win because it’s simply more interesting to see him from Robert Whittaker compared to Whittaker vs. Romero two, a struggle I believe Whittaker wins even more conclusively than he did the first time. Romero is not a man who completes people immediately, but the mere fact that he’s so harmful from the subsequent rounds presents another challenge for Luke. Nevertheless, I hope Rockhold’s cardio to hold up in a five-rounder, he has a more varied floor game than Romero (zero career submission efforts ), and I think his kicks will be key to effecting Romero’s gas tank as the battle progresses. You constantly need to be worried about Romero’s KO power, as well as the potential for him to put Rockhold on his spine and deliver some punishment, but I believe Rockhold gets the win in a tough, highly competitive contest. Luke Rockhold by decision.

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