In a surprise reveal Wednesday, MMA Junkie reported that CM Punk’s UFC 225 loss to Mike Jackson was quietly changed to a no contest due to Jackson testing positive for marijuana.
MMA Junkie obtained the information via a Freedom of Information Act request, followed by a confirmation by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation.
Held on June 9, 2018, Punk’s unanimous decision defeat was on the main card of the Chicago-based PPV headlined by then-middleweight champion Robert Whittaker vs. Yoel Romero II.
Jackson tested positive for “tetrahydrocannabinol due to marijuana” on fight night with the result officially overturned in October 2018. Jackson also got a three month suspension, but it’s unknown whether he was also fined. The state had told fighters via a memo weeks in advance of the event that the state had a strict no tolerance policy for marijuana.
Neither Punk nor Jackson have commented publicly following the news. Neither man has competed in MMA since that night.
Though Dana White took a similar approach after his first loss, it appears that CM Punk won’t be getting another shot in the UFC.
“It should be a wrap,” White replied when asked about Punk fighting in the company again at the post-UFC 225 press conference. “The guy is 39 years old. I love the guy — he’s the nicest guy in the world. We gave him two shots, and he had a lot of heart tonight in this fight. And, yeah, I think he should call it a wrap.”
Punk didn’t speak to the media on Saturday night due to being transported to the hospital for a facial CT scan after losing a one-sided unanimous decision to Mike Jackson. He later sent out a tweet after the show: “You win some, you lose some! I’m 1-1 this week and I’ll take it! Thanks to my team, my family, my friends, and THE FANS! Wouldn’t be here without any of you. Respect to @TheTruthJackson, thanks for the fight! You only live once, and… I’M ALIVE!”
While White credited Punk for the heart he showed, he wasn’t a fan of Punk’s opponent. White said Jackson was acting like a “goofball,” never looked like he was trying to finish the fight, and said he got the sense Jackson was a “complete f*cking idiot.” White said Jackson’s UFC career is over and that he wouldn’t even put him on the Tuesday Night Contender Series.
In what is most likely to be his final fight in the UFC, CM Punk dropped a rather one-sided unanimous decision loss to Mike Jackson to open up the UFC 225 PPV.
All three judges had the fight 30-26 for Jackson (1-1).
In the first round, Punk (0-2) was active, throwing some kicks, hitting a good left hand, and cage grappling a bit. However, Jackson’s experience took over. He blocked a Punk takedown and started to outstrike Punk, bloodying him up. He did get a takedown with about 40 seconds to go, but couldn’t do anything with it.
In the second round, Jackson hit a big right hand that hurt Punk. He tried a strange standing guillotine which Jackson countered by just dropping him to the mat. Jackson didn’t show much of a sense of urgency in punching Punk while in his guard, many while looking in another direction. He was dominant in battering Punk and the fans began to boo at the action. Punk looked tired throughout the round, somethign that would continue in the third round.
The third was all Jackson, who picked apart Punk on the feet. Punk was throwing wildely but not hitting. Again, Jackson wasn’t showing a sense of urgency and pounded Punk more whhen getting him to the mat. Fans were booing or just plain sileint in the 10-8 round. Punk was trying the entire time, but just had nothing to offer Jackson.
This was Punk’s first fight since September 2016 when he lost to Mickey Gall via first round submission. Ariel Helwani reported via the UFC that Punk was being transported to a local hospital for a facial CT scan.
Welcome to F4WOnline.com’s live coverage of UFC 225: Whittaker vs. Romero 2, emanating from the United Center in Chicago, Illinois.
The Octagon returns to the Windy City with the deepest fight card of the year, headlined by what has become a non-title fight, but with another title fight still on the card and a slew of big names all along the card.
UFC Middleweight Champion Robert Whittaker will fight Yoel Romero in the main event. It was scheduled to be a championship fight, but Romero missed weight on Friday, coming in just over at 185.2 pounds. The fight remains a five-round affair, but Whittaker will walk out of Chicago remaining the champion, win or lose. Whittaker does hold a previous win over Romero, at UFC 213 eleven months ago.
In the co-main event, it will be a battle for the Interim UFC Welterweight Championship as Rafael Dos Anjos takes on Colby Covington. Both men are on impressive win streaks, as Dos Anjos is undefeated since moving to 170 pounds, winning three straight, while Covington has won five straight bouts. The winner should be in line to face UFC Welterweight Champion Tyron Woodley later this year.
Also on the main card, former UFC Women’s Bantamweight Champion Holly Holm welcomes Megan Anderson to the UFC in a fight that could set up the next challenger for Cris Cyborg, former UFC Heavyweight Champion Andrei Arlovski takes on Tai Tuivasa, and former WWE superstar CM Punk looks for his first professional MMA win after a trying few weeks as he battles Mike Jackson.
In a star-studded preliminary card, we have Alistair Overeem taking on Curtis Blaydes in heavyweight action, women’s strawweights Claudia Gadelha and Carla Esparza do battle, former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Rashad Evans returns to 205 pounds to take on Anthony Smith, flyweights Joseph Benavidez and Sergio Pettis take on each other looking for a title shot, and popular lightweight Clay Guida takes on Charles Oliveira.
Follow along with our live coverage of the event beginning at 6:15 p.m. Eastern time with preliminary action all the way through the main card.
We are looking for your thoughts on tonight’s event, so send a thumbs up, a thumbs down or a thumbs in the middle along with a best fight and a worst fight to Dave at [email protected].
UFC FIGHT PASS PRELIMS | 6:15 PM ET/3:15 PM PT
> Mike Santiago (21-11, 0-2 UFC) vs. Dan Ige (8-2, 0-1 UFC) Featherweights
Ige with a quick combination and he gets Santiago to the ground and is in the mount. He is dropping punches and takes the back and is landing big punches from the back. He is working for the choke but still landing hard punches. Santiago in tons of trouble and the referee stops the fight. Wow. Ige with a dominant victory in the first round.
Official Result- Dan Ige def. Mike Santiago by TKO (punches) at :50 of Round 1
> Clay Guida (34-17, 14-11 UFC) vs. Charles Oliveira (22-8 1 NC, 10-8 1 NC UFC) Lightweights
Oliveira with some kicks early. They trade punches. Guida now with some leg kicks. Both are finding their timing. Oliveira lands a left hand. Guida has a cut and Oliviera lands a right hand and grabs the neck on a Guida takedown and it is on tight. Guida taps as there was no escape there. Oliveira with a big submission win in the first in a fight he took two weeks ago.
Official Result- Charles Oliveira def. Clay Guida by submission (guillotine choke) at 2:18 of Round 1
BREAKING: In between fights, it was announced that UFC Flyweight Champion Demetrious Johnson would be defending against Henry Cejudo at UFC 227 on August 4 in Los Angeles. It is the second fight between the two as Johnson defeated Cejudo by first-round TKO at UFC 197 in April 2016.
> Joseph Benavidez (#1, 25-4, 12-2 UFC) vs. Sergio Pettis (#5, 16-3, 7-3 UFC) Flyweights
Benavidez with an early series of leg kicks. They trade punches and Pettis lands a clean right hand. Pettis tags and hurts Benavidez with a right hand. He lands another and Benavidez is in trouble early. Benavidez gets a takedown into the guard of Pettis and it will give him time to recover. Pettis able to scramble to the feet and they are clinched against the fence. They trade strikes as both are landing. Pettis lands a right hand. Benavidez is keep his hands low. Pettis lands a right as Benavidez comes in range. Benavidez with a leg kick. Pettis with a head kick as Benavidez shoots in and has a leg but Pettis defends and breaks away. Pettis lands a left jab. 10-9 Pettis.
Benavidez lands a quick combo to start the second. Benavidez pushes Pettis against the fence in a tie-up. Pettis was able to get out of the clinch and they’re back to the center. Benavidez with a leg kick. Pettis with a high body kick. Benavidez with one of his own and they clinch against the fence. Benavidez working hard for a takedown against the fence but Pettis defends and they break. They trade kicks. Benavidez with a leg kick. They trade punches and Benavidez back working for a takedown. They trade punches. Pettis lands the jab. Benavidez pushes Pettis against the fence. Close round. 10-9 Benavidez, 19-19.
They come out swinging. Benavidez with a hard right hand and a spinning back fist that lands. They clinch but Pettis defending the clinch and takedown attempts well. Pettis lands a right hand as they break. They trade punches. Pettis with a knee to the body of Benavidez. Benavidez with some body kicks and he lands his punches. Pettis lands a right hand and a body kick. Benavidez goes for a takedown but Pettis grabs the neck for a moment before he lets go. Benavidez goes back for the takedown but Pettis gets away. Pettis lands a double jab and a body kick. Benavidez goes for yet another takedown and it is defended again. They break. Benavidez with a body kick and he gets a takedown. Pettis gets to his feet and has the neck. They break. They trade big punches and kicks late. Good, close fight. 10-9 Benavidez, 29-28 Benavidez.
Official Result- Sergio Pettis def. Joseph Benavidez by split decision (28-29, 29-28, 30-27)
> Rashad Evans (19-7-1, 14-7-1 UFC) vs. Anthony Smith (28-13, 4-3 UFC) Light Heavyweights
Smith with an early leg kick. Smith with another. They clinch and Smith lands a huge knee that drops Evans and Evans is out cold. Smith with one final punch for good measure as he gets the knockout win in less than a minute. A brutal finish and this is likely the end of Evans’ career.
Official Result- Anthony Smith def. Rashad Evans by knockout (knee) at :53 of Round 1
FOX SPORTS 1 PRELIMS | 8 PM ET/5 PM PT
> Rashad Coulter (8-3, 0-2 UFC) vs. Chris de la Rocha (4-2, 0-2 UFC) Heavyweights
They trade punches early. They clinch and de la Rocha has Coulter against the fence. Coulter with a short knee to the body. They break and Coulter lands a couple of big punches. They clinch and Coulter slips on a knee to the body and de la Rocha gets into the mount and lands some punches. Coulter gives up his back. de la Rocha looking for a choke. Coulter escapes and they get to their feet. Coulter lands some big punches and de la Rocha is rocked and in trouble. Coulter lands some more big punches. de la Rocha is cut badly above his eye. de la Rocha now landing big punches on Coulter against the fence. They are swinging and both landing big punches. Both look gassed. Coulter lands another big right hand. de la Rocha gets a takedown. Not much happened at the end. 10-9 Coulter.
de la Rocha lands a big right hand. Coulter lands a huge right hand. They clinch and de la Rocha gets a takedown. Coulter gives up his back and de la Rocha looking for a choke. He looked to have it for a minute but lets go. de la Rocha landing punches but gets warnings for grabbing the fence a couple of times. de la Rocha looking for the choke again but can’t get it. de la Rocha landing more punches from the back. Coulter somehow surviving. Both are exhausted. de la Rocha still landing from the top. The fight is finally stopped by the referee and de la Rocha gets the win.
Official Result- Chris de la Rocha def. Rashad Coulter by TKO (punches) at 3:53 of Round 2
Lamas with a front kick. Lamas gets a brief takedown but Bektic right back to his feet. Lamas has the body lock on Bektic against the fence. Bektic is landing punches. Lamas with a couple of knee to the body but Bektic reverses position and lands his own knees. They trade knees. They break. Bektic lands a left hand. Bektic lands a right hand. Lamas with a leg kick and eats a right hand as he tries for a head kick. They clinch and Bektic with some short knees. They break but Bektic quickly grabs Lamas for a takedown. They get back to their feet. Lamas misses a spin kick. 10-9 Bektic.
They come out trading to start the second. Lamas with a leg kick. They both defend takedown attempts from the other. Bektic lands a right hand and Lamas is cut open. They clinch and trade knees. Bektic has Lamas pinned against the fence. It was a headbutt that cut Lamas open. Bektic with an elbow. They break. Lamas tries for a takedown but Bektic defends it. They get up and break. They clinch again and each land but they break. They trade punches and Bektic lands a solid combination. Bektic lands a couple of solid punches as Lamas lands a couple of leg kicks. 10-9 Bektic, 20-18 Bektic.
Lamas lands a right hand as he tries to change levels. Bektic counters with a right hand. Lamas fakes a takedown but eats some punches from Bektic. They clinch but nothing happens before they break. Lamas mistimes a spin kick and Bektic is able to score a takedown off of it. Lamas is able to reverse into side control but Bektic quickly scrambles back to the top. Lamas grabs the neck and is looking for a guillotine choke. He is squeezing but Bektic is holding on and broke out of it. They get up and Bektic has the body lock. Lamas grabs the neck again and was looking for a choke but lets go and lands some elbows and punches. Lamas tried for it again but Bektic slipped out and is on top. Bektic with a knee to the body. 10-9 Bektic, 30-27 Bektic.
Official Result- Mirsad Bektic def. Ricardo Lamas by split decision (29-28, 28-29, 30-27)
They trade punches and Esparza with a leg kick.Gadelha drops Esparza for a moment with a right hand. They scramble and Esparza working for a takedown but Gadelha sprawls and grabs the neck. They get to their feet and break. Gadelha with a right hand but Esparza with a leg kick. Gadelha lands a couple more hard right hands. Esparza clips Gadelha with a right hand and has her rocked. Esparza with another right hand and drags Gadelha down and is in the guard. Gadelha sweeps out by grabbing a leg. Gadelha then gets in the guard of Esparza. Both women landing punches on the ground. They scramble to their feet. Gadelha gets a takedown into side control. Gadelha with some hammerfists. Gadelha has a deep guillotine late but Esparza survives. 10-9 Gadelha.
They come out swinging. Both land right hands. They clinch against the fence. Both battling for position and underhooks. Esparza has the better position. Gadelha reverses and has the body lock and gets Esparza down. Gadelha in the guard and landing punches and big elbows. Big elbow from Gadelha. They get to their feet and Gadelha gets another takedown. She is in real control of the fight now. Gadelha working in the half-guard. Esparza gets to her feet and quickly takes Gadelha down at the end of the round. 10-9 Gadelha, 20-18 Gadelha.
Esparza lands a nice right hand at the start of the third. They trade right hands. Esparza with a front kick but eats a counter right hand from Gadelha. Esparza lands a couple of right hands. Esparza with a knee to the body. Esparza lands a combo. Esparza with a leg kick. Esparza with a combo. Gadelha looks to be trying to coast this round. Esparza lands another hard right hand. Esparza tries a kick but Gadelha grabs the leg and grabs the back. Gadelha with a suplex takedown and is in side control. Both landing on the ground. Esparza pushes Gadelha off and then gets a takedown and is in the guard of Gadelha. Esparza starts landing big punches from the top. Gadelha’s right eye is closed. Esparza finishes with punches from the top. Close fight. 10-9 Esparza, 29-28 Gadelha.
Official Result- Claudia Gadelha def. Carla Esparza by split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)
Overeem keeping his hands low. Nothing has happened 90 seconds into the fight. Blaydes misses a high kick. Blaydes gets a big takedown. Blaydes with some punches from the top. There isn’t much happening otherwise. Overeem going for a leg lock late but isn’t going to have enough time. A complete nothing round. 10-9 Blaydes.
They are fighting now. Overeem with a big knee that hurts Blaydes. Blaydes looks for a takedown but Overeem has the neck. Blaydes completes the takedown and Overeem is looking for a heel hook. Blaydes gets out of it and jumps right back on Overeem. They get to their feet. Blaydes lands an uppercut. Overeem with a step in knee and Blaydes grabs him and gets a takedown. Blaydes in the half-guard and keeping Overeem pinned on the mat. Blaydes with an elbow. Blaydes with some late ground-and-pound. 10-9 Blaydes, 20-18 Blaydes.
They trade punches. Overeem with a body kick. Blaydes lands a right hand. Blaydes with a hard right hand and a knee and then lands some punches against the fence and gets a takedown against the fence. Blaydes solidly in control on top. Blaydes then lands a huge elbow that rocks Overeem badly and then starts firing elbow after elbow and the fight is stopped as Overeem is out and is a bloody mess. A huge win for Blaydes and a dominant showing.
Official Result- Curtis Blaydes def. Alistair Overeem by TKO (elbows) at 2:56 of Round 3
PPV MAIN CARD | 10 PM ET/7 PM PT
> CM Punk (0-1, 0-1 UFC) vs. Mike Jackson (0-1, 0-1 UFC) Welterweights
Punk with a leg kick. Jackson lands a right hand. Punk lands a right hand and they clinch. Punk with a knee to the body. They break the clinch. Punk lands another right hand. Jackson lands a right hand. They clinch against the fence and Punk with a knee. Jackson with some body punches. Punk goes for a takedown but it is defended. They break and trade punches. Punk goes for a takedown but it is defended again. Jackson lands a left hand. Punk gets a takedown and steps over into half-guard. Punk lands a couple of punches but they scramble to the feet. Jackson with a body punch and a big elbow. 10-9 Jackson.
Punk goes for a takedown and it is defended. They break the clinch. Punk lands some punches. Jackson lands a right hand that hurts Punk. Jackson with an elbow over the top. Punk tries for a jumping guillotine and Jackson takes it to the mat and is in the guard of Punk. Jackson with some punches and elbows from the top. Punk is bleeding. Punk looked for a triangle choke but couldn’t secure it. Jackson still on top and landing some punches to the body. Jackson with punches to the body. This isn’t a good fight at all. 10-9 Jackson, 20-18 Jackson.
They clinch and just nothing happening. Jackson lands a right hand. Punk goes for a takedown but eats a left hand and Punk flops to his back. Punk does land a left hand. Jackson lands a right hand. They clinch and Punk going for a takedown. They break and Jackson lands a right hand. Jackson with some elbows and they clinch and Jackson has the back. Jackson gets the takedown and is in side control. Kudos to Punk because he has heart but this has no business being on a UFC event. Jackson on top and lands some punches. 10-9 Jackson, 30-27 Jackson.
Official Result- Mike Jackson def. CM Punk by unanimous decision (30-26, 30-26, 30-26)
> Andrei Arlovski (#9, 27-15 1 NC, 16-9 UFC) vs. Tai Tuivasa (#12, 7-0, 2-0 UFC) Heavyweights
They both land short punches. Arlovski lands a right hand and a leg kick. Tuivasa with a leg kick. Arlovski with a hard inside leg kick and he follows with a jab. Tuivasa gets a takedown right into full mount. Nothing is happening on the ground and they scramble to their feet. Tuivasa is cut open but drops Arlovski with a left hand and lets him up. Arlovski with a body lock and almost gets a takedown. Arlovski with a knee to the body. Tuivasa with a combo. They clinch and Arlovski with a knee. They break and Tuivasa lands a big punch. They trade right hands. Tuivasa slips after landing a head kick. 10-9 Tuivasa.
Arlovski with a front kick to the body. Arlovski with some leg kicks. Arlovski lands a couple of solid right hands and then lands a leg kick. They trade and Arlovski lands a solid one-two combo. They trade big punches and Arlovski with a double jab. Tuivasa is a bloody mess but lands a right hand. Tuivasa with a leg kick. Arlovski with a spinning back fist. Tuivasa with a combo and Arlovski stumbles for a moment. Arlovski gets a brief takedown and we have a timeout as Tuivasa pokes Arlovski in the eye. We get back to action and both land solid punches. Close round and close fight. 10-9 Arlovski, 19-19.
Tuivasa with a leg kick. Arlovski counters with his own but eats a right hand from Tuivasa. Arlovski with a couple of kicks and then he lands a right hand. They trade in close range. They trade again. Tuivasa with a right elbow. Arlovski with some knees in a brief clinch. Arlovski misses a head kick. Tuivasa hurts Arlovski with a right hand but Arlovski is recovering. Arlovski with a solid combo. This is gonna come down to the last minute. Arlovski with the jab. They trade strikes. Arlovski with the jab. Tuivasa with a right hand. They trade at the end. Close fight. 10-9 Arlovski, 29-28 Arlovski.
Official Result- Tai Tuivasa def. Andrei Arlovski by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
> Holly Holm (#1 WBW, 11-4, 4-4 UFC) vs. Megan Anderson (8-2, 0-0 UFC) Women’s Featherweights
They trade early. Holm with a body kick but eats a big knee from Anderson. They clinch and Anderson with another knee. Holm with a short elbow. Holm with a knee to the leg of Anderson. They stay in the clinch as Holm has Anderson up against the fence. They break. Anderson lands a knee. Anderson lands a short combo but eats a front kick to the face from Holm. Holm gets a takedown but Anderson is looking for a twist. Anderson lets go and Holm is in side control. Holm with an elbow from the top. 10-9 Holm.
Holm coming out with some kicks. Anderson tries a kick but Holm grabs her and pushes her against the fence. They break. Holm with a body kick. Anderson tries a knee but Holm is able to counter into a takedown and is in side control. Holm landing punches from the top. Holm gets into full mount and lands some big punches. Holm working for an arm-triangle. She lets go but lands some big punches. Holm in control from the top. 10-9 Holm, 20-18 Holm.
Holm firing kicks but eats a hard right hand from Anderson. Holm goes right for the takedown but Anderson is defending well. Holm pushes Anderson against the fence. Holm gets a takedown and is in the half-guard of Anderson. Holm gets into the mount. Anderson was looking to escape so Holm just got up and let Anderson up. Holm with a head kick followed by a leg kick and then a front kick to the body. Holm gets another takedown into half-guard. Holm moves to side control and lands some elbows. Holm back into full mount and with punches and shoulder strikes. Holm is going to cruise to victory on top. Great performance from Holm. 10-9 Holm, 30-27 Holm.
Official Result- Holly Holm def. Megan Anderson by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-26, 30-26)
> Rafael Dos Anjos (#1, 28-9, 17-7 UFC) vs. Colby Covington (#4, 13-1, 8-1 UFC) Interim UFC Welterweight Championship
They come out swinging and Covington right into a takedown. Dos Anjos back to his feet. Covington is all over Dos Anjos. They break. Dos Anjos with a leg kick and then lands a left hand as Covington clinches. Dos Anjos with a knee to the body. Covington with a high kick and back to the clinch but they break. Dos Anjos with a right hook to the body and then a knee to the body. They clinch and Covington with some short left hands. Covington trying a takedown but eats some elbows and a knee to the body. Dos Anjos with another knee to the body. Covington with some leg kicks. Dos Anjos lands a combo. They trade body kicks. Covington keeps going back to the clinch as Dos Anjos is landing more when they are separated. 10-9 Dos Anjos.
Dos Anjos with a leg kick and they trade punches in close range. Covington gets a brief takedown but Dos Anjos gets up. They break the clinch and Dos Anjos with a big body kick. Covington goes for another takedown but Dos Anjos defending. They break and trade kicks. Dos Anjos landing punches to the body. They trade punches and Dos Anjos rocks Covington with a left hand. They trade punches. Covington lands an uppercut. They break the clinch with both utilizing dirty boxing. Covington gets a takedown and takes the back. Covington with some punches from the back. 10-9 Covington, 19-19.
Dos Anjos lands some quick punches before Covington clinches against the fence. They break. They trade punches. Covington back working for a takedown but they break. Covington with some kicks. Covington back working for a takedown and gets it for a brief second. Covington lands a low blow on Dos Anjos and we have a break. Back to action and they trade in the pocket. They clinch and not much happens. Dos Anjos lands a big left hand as they break and Covington back to a takedown attempt that is defended. They trade kicks. Covington grabs the back of Dos Anjos. Not much happened afterwards. 10-9 Covington, 29-28 Covington.
Dos Anjos lands a huge left hand to start the fourth. Dos Anjos gets a takedown on Covington. Covington scrambles to the sprawl and Dos Anjos has the neck. They get up and break and Dos Anjos gets another takedown. Covington with some deep breaths. They get up and Dos Anjos has the back and the body lock. Dos Anjos with some knees to the legs and he takes Covington back down. They get to their feet. They break. Dos Anjos lands a left hand. Dos Anjos gets a brief takedown but they clinch against the fence. They break and trade punches. Both land solid punches and now Covington going for a takedown. Covington lands an uppercut but eats a counter left from Dos Anjos. Covington gets a late takedown and ends the round on top. 10-9 Dos Anjos, 38-38.
They trade early and Covington working for a takedown. Covington has the back. They break. Covington gets a takedown. Dos Anjos gets back up. They trade kicks. Covington working for another takedown. Covington hanging on to Dos Anjos but not really doing much. They break and Dos Anjos with a body kick. Covington lands a left hand and going back for another takedown. Dos Anjos with a right hand to the body. They break. They trade punches. Dos Anjos clips Covington with a left hand. They are battling in the clinch, Covington gets him down but they scramble back up. They trade punches. They are swinging in the last minute. Dos Anjos landing cleaner. Covington tries a takedown to no success. Dos Anjos with a body kick. Close fight. 10-9 Covington, 48-47 Covington.
Official Result- Colby Covington def. Rafael Dos Anjos by unanimous decision (49-46, 48-47, 48-47), Covington wins the Interim UFC Welterweight Championship
> Robert Whittaker (C, 19-4, 10-2 UFC) vs. Yoel Romero (#1, 14-2, 9-1 UFC) Middleweights* (Originally a UFC Middleweight Championship bout, but Romero missed weight by .2 pounds)
Main event coverage by Paul Fontaine as I ran into computer issues
Whittaker opening with kicks, mostly to the lead leg. Punch combo from Whittaker at 1:30. Romero just biding his time and covering up. Punch combo from Whittaker at 2:45. Romero with one at 3:00. Whittaker with 17 kicks landed in the first 3 minutes. Romero lands his first leg kick at 4:45 and it staggers Whittaker. Nice punch combo from Whittaker follows. 10-9 Whittaker
Total strikes are 35-8 for Whittaker. Whittaker continuing to land kicks early. Punch combo from Whittaker at 45 seconds. Punch/kick combo from Romero at 1:00. Punch/kick combo from Whittaker at 2:00. Total strikes attempted 128-44 for Whittaker. Romero with damage to his right eye and it’s almost swollen shut. Punch/kick combo from Whittaker at 3:30. Punch combo from Romero at 4:00. Kick/punch combo from Romero at 4:30. Romero stuffed on a takedown attempted. Whittaker picking him off with jabs before the buzzer. 10-9 Whittaker, 20-18 overall
Punch combo from Romero to open. Romero rocks Whittaker with a punch at 30 seconds. Romero all over him. Whittaker down and Romero dropping hard elbows. Whittaker up and tries a takedown but Romero landing elbows to the head. Romero controlling a cage clinch at 1:00. Punch combo from Romero and Whittaker is rocked. Whittaker lands elbows to the head and Romero in trouble. Both guys just throwing bombs. Romero back to the clinch at 1:45. Romero with light punches to the body. Whittaker bleeding from his nose. Romero with a punch combo and tries a takedown but maintains clinch control. Whittaker takes control at 2:45. Romero quickly takes it back. They separate and another crazy punch exchange at 3:00. Both guys throwing bombs again. Romero all over him but Whittaker stays up. Romero all over him with punches again. Whittaker running away at 3:30. Whittaker rocks him with a head kick. Romero with a punch combo. Elbows and punches from Romero at 4:00. Romero takes the back standing. Romero with a 54-20 advantage in strikes landed and gets a takedown but Whittaker right up. Whittaker controlling the clinch at 4:45. 10-9 Romero, 29-28 Whittaker overall
Punch combo from Whittaker 15 seconds in. Whittaker rocks Romero with a head kick at 45 seconds. And another. Whittaker landing hard leg kicks. Punch combo from Romero at 1:45. Whittaker with a series of jabs at 2:00. Whittaker may have broken his right arm as he’s throwing exclusively lefts and kicks. Whittaker has landed 36 leg kicks so far. Whittaker with a punch combo at 3:30. Punch combo from Romero at 4:15. Whittaker bleeding heavily from beside his left eye. Whittaker with a 32-6 advantage in strikes landed for Round 4. Romero rocks Whittaker with a punch at 4:45. Another combo follows. Whittaker running away. Romero may have stolen it at the end. 10-9 Romero, 38-38 overall
Punch combo from Romero 15 seconds in and Whittaker is rocked. Punch combo from Whittaker at 1:00. Punch combo from Romero at 1:15. Romero chasing Whittaker down now. Whittaker down and Romero all over him. Romero dropping punches and elbows and Whittaker cowering up. Romero landing punches to the body and head. Whittaker not blocking the punches at all. Whittaker to his feet and attempting a takedown but Romero stuffs it and lands more punches. Elbows and punches to the head at 2:30. Whittaker up and eats knees and punches to the head. Romero takes his back and takes him down. Whittaker up and Romero drags him down. Romero on his back at 3:15. Hard knees to the back from Romero. Whittaker to his feet and Romero drags him right down. Whittaker up again at 3:45. Ref warns them to work. Ref breaks it up at 4:15. 10-9 Romero, 48-47 overall
Official Result- Robert Whittaker def. Yoel Romero by split decision (47-48, 48-47, 48-47)
Despite a day full of nonsense revolving around whether or not we had a main event due to Yoel Romero missing weight, UFC 225 is a full go for Saturday and man, what a card it is. I mean, where else can you get two pro wrestlers — former WWE star CM Punk and former TNA star Colby Covington — competing for big stakes on a PPV?
Helping me answer the many questions about this card are Paul Fontaine and Ryan Frederick. Note that everyone wrote their piece before the events of Friday at the weigh-ins. An added note from Paul: Since November, fighters missing weight are 13-2 since November in their fights.
UFC welterweight champion Robert Whittaker vs. Yoel Romero II (non-title)
UFC Interim middleweight championship: Rafael dos Anjos vs. Colby Covington
Holly Holm vs. Megan Anderson
Andrei Arlovski vs. Tai Tuivasa
CM Punk vs. Mike Jackson
Prelims
Alistair Overeem vs. Curtis Blaydes
Claudia Gadelha vs. Carla Esparza
Ricardo Lamas vs. Mirsad Bektic
Rashad Coulter vs. Chris de la Rocha
Rashad Evans vs. Anthony Smith
Joe Benavidez vs. Sergio Pettis
Clay Guida vs. Charles Oliveira
Mike Santiago vs. Dan Ige
What are you most looking forward to?
Josh: This entire damn show. Even without the big name headliner, it’s been a while since we had one of these top to bottom loaded shows. I can find storylines and interest in nearly every fight.
Ryan: There’s not one thing I don’t love about this card. It’s the deepest fight card in quite some time and has intrigue all over it. When Clay Guida and Charles Oliveira are in the second fight on a card, you know you have a special card. The fight I’m most looking forward to is the main event between Whittaker and Romero. Their first fight was excellent and I think this one will be even better.
Paul: Punk vs. Jackson. This really intrigues me on so many levels. Two weeks ago, I was firmly convinced that Punk would win but then, I heard Josh interview Jackson on his podcast and then Punk spent the key part of his time he should have been getting ready for the fight in court. Now, I’m not so sure.
Anything being overlooked?
Josh: A lot. Basically, the entire Fight Pass portion (Evans/Smith, Benavidez/Pettis, Guida/Oliveira) has intrigue from returns (Benavidez) and last stands (Evans). Also, the Gadelha-Esparza and Overeem-Blaydes bouts are of interest for what happens to the winners.
Ryan: I think the fight between Holly Holm and Megan Anderson is getting overlooked. As much as people might not believe it, Anderson is a real threat to women’s featherweight champion Cris Cyborg as she’s as big or even bigger than Cyborg and has good all-around skills. I think she gets past Holm here and gives a great challenge to Cyborg in the near future.
Paul: In addition to the fights Josh mentioned, there’s Alistair Overeem vs. Curtis Blaydes. Overeem is going to be looking to prove a point as he’s mad his fight wasn’t put on the main card and honestly, he’s got a point.
Anything not doing it for you?
Josh: The arrangement of the fights is kinda strange. I would think FS1 would want the more well known fighters like Benavidez and Evans on their prelims. It’s weird to me that UFC would decide to throw a bone to Fight Pass subscribers at this point, but the conspiracy theorist in me wonders if this will be a trend on PPV shows until the current TV deal is done. I can’t imagine they’d do the cut nose/spite face deal, but it’s possible.
Ryan: Other than the fact I’m not a fan of Colby Covington’s tactics outside the cage, everything is doing it for me. I won’t ever complain about placement on a show of fights because I watch everything, and there is something for everyone from the moment the first fight enters the Octagon.
Paul: I feel the same as Josh here. I mean, why is Rashad Coulter vs. Chris De La Rocha with their combined 0-4 UFC record on FS1 while Evans vs. Smith is on the Fight Pass portion? The Evans fight might be boring, but you know what won’t be? Charles Oliveira vs. Clay Guida and their combined 17 post show bonus awards. Why this isn’t headlining the FS1 prelims right before the PPV is beyond me and it’s a mistake the previous regime wouldn’t have made. In fact, go ahead and add Oliveira-Guida to the list of overlooked fights. How Josh, with his obsession for “crossroads fights” missed that is just more evidence as to how overlooked it is.
(Josh note: HOW DARE YOU, PAUL!!!)
Any intrigue with this show?
Josh: And how! Will Covington be able to back up the talk? Can RDA win another (interim) title? Can Whittaker or Romero put their stamp on the middleweight division? Is Benavidez back? Is Evans done? Has Punk improved? Real talk, this show is something else.
Ryan: Lots and lots of intrigue with this one. The main event is dynamic and has intrigue on its own. The co-main will set up a showdown with Tyron Woodley. Anderson, Benavidez, and Gadelha could secure title shots. Tuivasa could show he’s the next big thing at heavyweight, or Arlovski could show he has more in the tank. Blaydes gets his tough fight with Overeem who wants to show he’s still a top dog. Bektic can be a threat at featherweight, but Lamas is a guy you have to get by to contend. And then, there’s CM Punk.
Paul: Is Tuivasa the next heavyweight contender? Does Guida have another good run left in him? Can Arlovski turn back time and pick up a third straight UFC win at his advanced age? Does Overeem have another run to a title shot in him? Is Megan Anderson the next featherweight contender for Cris Cyborg? Is CM Punk still a PPV draw? Ya, I’d say there’s just a bit.
What will be people talking about most after the show is done?
Josh: That CM Punk has fought his final fight in the UFC and that we need to be treating RDA as a real threat to Tyron Woodley’s title.
Ryan: Obviously. the Punk fight will get the most attention. I think people will be talking about a trilogy between Whittaker and Romero after this one, and we’ll actually have people excited for a future Woodley fight with the co-main winner.
Paul: The Punk fight for sure, win or lose. If Romero beats Whittaker….was he clean? Who’s next? Do they do a rubber match? If Covington wins, I feel like we may hear rumblings about a fight with Conor McGregor.
Yoel Romero missed weight Friday, so his UFC 225 main event vs. middleweight champion Robert Whittaker is now a non-title affair.
There was no official statement from the UFC on the matter, but UFC president Dana White said the fight is on. MMA Junkie’s John Morgan said as of 11 PM that the commission has yet to make an official statement either.
It’s unknown as of this time whether a financial arrangement was made between the two or if there are fight day parameters in place. Several reporters cited that Whittaker was comfortable with the fight going on, but Romero was the one unsure if he wanted to continue.
If this sounds like deja vu, Romero missed championship weight at February’s UFC 221 in an interim middleweight fight with Luke Rockhold. He won that fight via third round knockout but was ineligible to win the title.
At the official weigh-ins Friday morning, Romero missed weight at 186 pounds but the Illinois Athletic Commission gave him two extra hours to cut, apparently because he is fighting for the title. His second attempt was 185.2, just 2/10 of a pound over where he needed to be.
What happens to Romero after the fight is anyone’s guess. One would think the UFC would make him move up to light heavyweight (205) as this is two straight misses, something they’ve done in the past with other fighters who keep missing.
The 41-year-old faced Whittaker at UFC 213 for the interim title nearly a year ago and lost a unanimous decision. Due to injuries, Whittaker hasn’t fought since then.
UFC 225 is finally on the doorstep and we already have controversy not involving a former pro wrestler or a would-be pro wrestler.
Joining yours truly as a special guest is friend of the show and a man of numbers Mike Bohn of MMA Junkie. On this 40 minute, free edition of the show, we hit on some of the news of the week, plus an overview of UFC 225. Some of the topics:
– The latest flare-up in the strange GSP vs. Dana White feud
– The prospects of Israel Adesanya vs. Thiago Santos, Brad Tavares, or another middleweight
– All of the storylines surrounding UFC 225 including CM Punk, thoughts on exactly Colby Covington is doing well and what he isn’t, the prospects of veterans like Rashad Evans and Alistair Overeem, and plenty more
As always, Mike drops a few of his numbers-filled nuggets of information.
The UFC 225 official weigh-ins kicked off 20 minutes early in Chicago, IL, and CM Punk has already made weight, hitting 169 pounds. You can watch the live stream of the rest of the proceedings below:
Thus far, middleweight champion Robert Whittaker, Holly Holm, Punk, Rashad Evans, Rafael dos Anjos, Ricardo Lamas, and a few others have made weight successfully as of this writing.
You can also watch the ceremonial weigh-ins here tonight, starting at 7 PM Eastern:
UFC 225 card:
– Middleweight champion Robert Whittaker vs. Yoel Romero II
– Interim welterweight championship: Rafael dos Anjos vs. Colby Covington
– CM Punk vs. Mike Jackson
– Holly Holm vs. Megan Anderson
– Tai Tuivasa vs. Andrei Arlovski
– Alistair Overeem vs. Curtis Blaydes
– Claudia Gadelha vs. Claudia Esparza
– Rashad Coulter vs. Chris de la Rocha
– Rashad Evans vs. Anthony Smith
– Ricardo Lamas vs. Mirsad Bektic
– Joe Benavidez vs. Sergio Pettis
– Clay Guida vs Charles Oliveira
– Dan Ige vs. Mike Santiago
Now that his time in court is a wrap, CM Punk/Phil Brooks can focus on the other important to do items in life like his second fight in the UFC, coming up this Saturday at Chicago’s UFC 225 against Mike Jackson.
While he hasn’t done any media leading up to the fight, the PPV opener did his annual longform chat with MMA Fighting’s Ariel Helwani and also a shorter form talk with MMA Junkie’s John Morgan.
In the Helwani interview, he talks about the recently wrapped up defamation trial and the emotions leading up to the final decision. He talks about whether he is going to sue for legal expenses, why the trial was this week, and more.
The 39-year-old lost his first career fight to Mickey Gall in September 2016 while Jackson dropped his first UFC fight to Gall in quick fashion as well. As of Wednesday, Jackson is a -225 favorite going into Saturday.
UFC 225 is headlined by welterweight champion Robert Whittaker defending his title against Yoel Romero with an interim middleweight title fight between Rafael dos Anjos and Colby Covington as the co-main event. Holly Holm vs. Megan Anderson is also on the PPV portion.
As expected, it was announced today that Punk will be facing Mike Jackson at UFC 225 in Chicago on June 9th. The fight had been discussed for the show since at least February, and Dana White confirmed last week that Jackson would be Punk’s next opponent.
Jackson was the person that Mickey Gall defeated before being confirmed as the opponent for Punk’s first UFC matchup. Punk and Jackson’s only pro mixed martial arts fights have been their first-round submission losses to Gall.
Punk will again be competing at welterweight.
UFC 225 at the United Center will be the company’s first pay-per-view to take place in Chicago. Robert Whittaker defending his middleweight title against Yoel Romero is scheduled to be the main event, with Rafael dos Anjos facing Colby Covington for the interim welterweight championship. The UFC has also added Holly Holm vs. Megan Anderson to the show’s card.
CM Punk facing Mike Jackson in his second UFC fight is as confirmed as it’s going to get until the official announcement is made.
Before today’s UFC 223 media day incident with Conor McGregor, Dana White spoke to TMZ Sports and was asked who he wants Punk’s next opponent to be. When questioned about Jackson specifically, White said “that’s the fight.”
White didn’t specify when the bout would be taking place, but Punk has said he’s fighting at UFC 225 in Chicago on June 9th. Jackson also posted on Twitter and Instagram after White’s interview, “Time to cash in the #MoneyInTheBank! Uncle Dana just delivered the #pipebomb, @cmpunk vs The Truth at #UFC225! #TruthvsPunk #TruthFoodTour”
Like Punk, Jackson only has one professional mixed martial arts fight under his belt. Both of them lost to Mickey Gall in their UFC debuts, with Gall submitting Jackson in February 2016 and then being announced as Punk’s first opponent. Gall went on to defeat Punk with a first-round rear naked choke at UFC 203 in September of that year.
Middleweight champion Robert Whittaker defending his title against Yoel Romero is scheduled to be the main event of UFC 225.
