UFC 221: Romero vs. Rockhold staff picks and predictions

The Bloody Elbow team has made its own forecasts for Saturday’s UFC 221 card in Perth, Australia. Opinion is rather divided on who will win the primary event between Luke Rockhold and Yoel Romero, which is fitting considering the 50-50 nature of this one. Our thoughts are also split on the co-main involving Mark Hunt and Curtis Blaydes. As for the rest of the card? Yeah… completely unanimous.
Notice: Predictions are entered during the week and gathered the day before the event. Explanations behind each pick aren’t required and a few authors elect not to do so for their own reasons. For instance, if Phil Mackenzie entered all his predictions on Wednesday without incorporating in any explanations, he has no idea if he’s going to be the only one siding with one fighter for any given fight.
Luke Rockhold vs. Yoel Romero
Anton Tabuena: Romero doesn’t have MMA wrestling that is certainly on par with his qualifications, and if this does go to the ground, that will be Rockhold’s entire world. This basically boils down to Romero landing a bomb, or him worked by the more technical and complete fighter. Romero has electricity and he can certainly put his lights out at any point, but I just think Rockhold is the far superior MMA fighter overall. Unless Rockhold starts slow and gets cluttered, he should be able to control distance, land those big kicks, and maybe finish this on the floor. Luke Rockhold by TKO.
Mookie Alexander: Selfishly, I want Rockhold to win because it’s just more interesting to see him from Robert Whittaker than Whittaker vs. Romero two, a struggle I think Whittaker wins much more than that he did the very first time. Romero is not a man who finishes people quickly, however, the mere fact that he’s so dangerous in the subsequent rounds presents a different challenge for Luke. That said, I hope Rockhold’s cardio to hold up in a five-rounder, he’s got a more varied floor game than Romero (zero career submission attempts), and I think his cries will be key to effecting Romero’s gas tank as the battle progresses. You always need to be concerned about Romero’s KO power, in addition to the possibility for him to put Rockhold on his back and deliver some punishment, but that I think Rockhold gets the win in a tough, highly competitive contest. Luke Rockhold by unanimous conclusion.

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