UFC 248 results: Israel Adesanya wins bizarre fight with Yoel Romero – Heavily booed
The dust has now settled, UFC 248 is in the books and the full results are in. The main event saw middleweight champion Israel Adesanya defend his title for the fist time against Cuban powerhouse Yoel Romero. The bout was much-anticipated, as Adesanya has some of the most unorthodox and dynamic striking recently seen in the UFC, while Romero possesses explosive power power like no other fighter in the division. Unfortunately the fight did not deliver. Both fighters were relatively inactive, neither one willing to set the pace with with striking exchanges. Both fighters ended up relatively passive, landing only single strikes. Adesanya did land several hard leg kicks that doubtlessly impacted Romero, who himself was successful with a few explosive strikes.
In the end, Adesanya was awarded a unanimous decision nod by the judges. UFC president Dana White was not happy with the fight, blaming Romero for much of it.
“I do (think it was Romero’s fault),” White said at the post fight press conference. “He literally went out and stood in the middle of the … when the bell rang in the first round, just stood there with his hands up. You know what I mean? You’re going in and facing the world champion. This is your last shot at a championship. You shouldn’t even be here getting this title fight. It should be Paulo Costa. If he didn’t get hurt, you don’t even get this opportunity. You go in, and you do everything you can to win that fight. He literally did none of that.”
Other news stories:
- Manny Pacquiao signs with Conor McGregor’s management
- Dana White: “I don’t give a sh*t” – If he loses UFC fans due to friendship with Trump
- “Swedish BMF title” handed out after vicious first round KO
- Tyson Fury vs Deontay Wilder 3 booked – Date revealed!
In contrast, Zhang Weili and Joanna Jedrzejczyk delivered an instant classic. The two strawweights went after it from the opening bell, not slowing down until the fight was over. The fight produced blood, sweat and tears, and clearly won “Fight of the Night” honours. Zhang ended up winning via a close split decision.
In other noteworthy bouts, Beneil Dariush scored a brutal knockout over Drakkar Klose, after being rocked himself. Neil Magny returned after a long layoff with a decision win over Li Jingliang, and Alex Oliveira earned a much-needed win over Max Griffin. The full results can be found below.
UFC 248 full results
- Israel Adesanya def. Yoel Romero via unanimous decision (48–47, 48–47, 49–46)
- Zhang Weili def. Joanna Jedrzejczyk via split decision (48-47, 47-48, 48-47)
- Beneil Dariush def. Drakkar Klose via knockout (punches) – Round 2, 1:00
- Neil Magny def. Li Jingliang via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
- Alex Oliveira def. Max Griffin via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
- Sean O’Malley def. Jose Quinonez via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 2:02
- Mark Madsen def. Austin Hubbard via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
- Rodolfo Vieira def. Saparbek Safarov via submission (arm-triangle choke) – Round 1, 2:58
- Gerald Meerschaert def. Deron Winn via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 3, 2:13
- Giga Chikadze def. Jamall Emmers via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
- Danaa Batgerel def. Guido Cannetti via knockout (punches) – Round 1, 3:01
