Yoel Romero (photo via UFC)

FCF Staff

Lyoto Machida has faced, and defeated, several notable wrestlers in the past, but clearly Yoel Romero was very well prepared for the elusive movement of “The Dragon”.

Romero battled the former light-heavyweight champ and middleweight contender in the main event of UFC Fight Night 70, and finished Machida in brutal fashion. What likely surprised many observers, however, was that Romero didn’t attempt to take Machida down until late in round two. In round three, the former Olympic Silver Medalist wrestler tripped Machida to the mat, and then finished the fight with vicious barrage of elbows.

Speaking to the UFC after the bout, here is some of what Romero had to say about the win, and his strategy to win the fight.

“Lyoto is a very experienced fighter, but I expected everything he threw at me tonight. You have to be very cautious with Lyoto because of how he fights. You have to time yourself to catch him. I saw him trying to time his moves and I was able to find an opportunity and jumped on it. Lyoto is a great fighter. He will continue to be great.”

The Cuban fighter has won six straight fights now, and is a lock to move into the UFC’s top five rankings at 185. Heading into Saturday’s card Romero was positioned at #6, and Machida was ranked #3.