Newly-crowned UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya puts his title on the line for the first time when he takes on Cuban powerhouse Yoel Romero in the main event of UFC 248 on Mar. 7.
Adesanya (18-0 MMA, 7-0 UFC) has enjoyed a meteoric rise to the top of the 185-pound division, defeating the likes of Derek Brunson, Anderson Silva, Kelvin Gastelum and, most recently, Robert Whittaker to stand at the UFC’s middleweight summit.
Now he faces his first test as a defending champion as he prepares to face hulking former Olympic freestyle wrestling medalist Romero (13-4 MMA, 9-3 UFC), who is bidding to capture a UFC title at the fourth time of asking. “The Soldier of God” twice saw tilts at UFC gold denied before fight night after failing to make weight, while his first attempt ended in a unanimous decision defeat to Robert Whittaker. Now, at the age of 42, Romero goes for gold again against Adesanya in Las Vegas.
UFC analyst Dan “The Outlaw” Hardy knows what it’s like to challenge for a UFC title, and in his latest episode of “The War Room,” he shares his take ahead of the main event clash. Check out his pre-fight assessment via the video above.
UFC 248 takes place Saturday at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. The main card airs on pay-per-view following prelims on ESPN and early prelims on UFC Fight Pass/ESPN+.
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