Yoel Romero Returns at UFC Orlando

UFC on Fox 28 in Orlando, Florida just keeps getting better and better. A top Middleweight matchup has been reported by the Orlando Sentinel. Making his return for the first time since losing his interim title fight against Robert Whittaker at UFC 213, Yoel Romero will take on former WSOF Middleweight and Light Heavyweight champion, David Branch. UFC on Fox 28 takes place on February 24!

David Branch last fought against former UFC Middleweight champion and next title challenger, Luke Rockhold in September at UFC Fight Night 116. Branch started strong in the first round but once the second came, Rockhold took over and finished the fight via submission to strikes. That loss marked Branch’s first loss in eleven fights.

It’s been a similar case for Romero who just suffered his first loss in eight fights. Romero has been one of the scariest forces in the Middleweight division’s history. Only three of his twelve fights have gone to decision. The most notable thing about Romero’s finishes is that they all come in the third round. No one else in UFC history has as many as he does(five).

Romero also happens to be an Olympic silver medalist in wrestling for his country of Cuba. Branch is a good wrestler himself but obviously doesn’t have the accolades that the “Soldier of God” does. This will be a very interesting matchup and one that both men would very much like to win to avoid a two-fight losing streak. Branch will be the clear underdog but he showed against Rockhold that he definitely can not be underestimated.

The rest of UFC Orlando looks like this so far:

Strawweight – Jessica Andrade vs Tecia Torres

Welterweight0 – Alan Jouban vs Ben Saunders

Lightweight – Gilbert Burns vs Olivier Aubin-Mercier

Light Heavyweight – Jake Collier vs Marcin Prachnio

Light Heavyweight – Gadzhimurad Antigulov vs. Aleksandar Rakic

This article first appeared on BJPenn.com on 12/29/2017.