Israel Adesanya knocks out Yoel Romero, regains middleweight title

Nigerian boxer Israel Adesanya retained his middleweight title in a frustrating, bizarre unanimous decision over Yoel Romero to close out a wild UFC 248 card in Las Vegas on Saturday.

The judges scored the fight 48-47, 48-47 and 49-46 – all for Adesanya. Adesanya, after retaining his belt, said: “I did what I had to do, I capitalised on his weakness and you can see him (Romero) limping his leg.”

Romero, on the other hand, queried Adesanya’s style, saying he didn’t come out to fight. “The crowd paid to say a real fight, but he was just running around, he didn’t fight. It would have been different if he came all out.”

UFC 248 took place last night at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. The main card streamed on ESPN+ following prelims on ESPN and ESPN+.