Australian Robert Whittaker has become the interim middleweight champion by defeating Yoel Romero in the main event of UFC 213 in Las Vagas yesterday.
Despite copping an early injury to the left knee from one of Romero's trademark sidekicks, Whittaker battled on in true Australian spirit to win the fight in a unanimous decision after 5 hard fought grueling rounds.
After going down in the first two rounds while coming to terms with the injury, the following three rounds were a completely different story, as the Australian was able to find his feet and get back to the traditional Whittaker fighting style by evading Romero's takedown attempts, and implementing his sublime striking skills to land critical punches to outscore his opponent.
Furthermore, the challenges that now lie ahead for Whittaker are deemed to be much greater as his fight against middleweight champion Michael Bisping could be as early as November this year, to determine who is the king of the middleweight class.
It only took a matter of seconds once the fight had finished for Micheal Bisping to start the mind games by entering the ring and getting the face of the Australian.
“That fact that you’re standing there with that f***** belt on, like you’re a champion, makes me sick. You should be ashamed of yourself,” Bisping shouted at Whittaker.
“Here take that (title belt), fight me for it. I’ll see you soon mother*****.”
However, the smiling Whittaker looked unphased by the Bisping trash talk which could serve him well as they start to prepare for what is going to be a must-see fight hopefully later in the year.
