UFC middleweight contender Yoel Romero earned a shot at avenging his former unanimous decision loss to reigning champion Robert Whittaker over the weekend. Now it would appear that the fighter’s missed weight cost him dearly.
Romero and Whittaker were initially set to battle it out for the belt in the main event of UFC 225. However, Romero missed weight for the match up.
Consequently, Romero was no longer eligible to compete for the title. The fight was not cancelled. Rather, the two mixed martial artists threw down in a non-title fight for the night’s main event.
Following a five round fight of the year contender, Robert Whittaker earned a split decision victory over his opponent. The UFC has since revealed that Robert Whittaker earned the “Fight of the Night” bonus.
As Romero missed weight, the fighter was forced to fork over 30 percent of his fight purse. However, Romero was also ineligible for the “Fight of the Night” bonus.
Consequently, Whittaker was granted double bonus money for “Fight of the Night,” earning the reigning champion a massive $100,000 bonus.
Charles Oliveira and Curtis Blaydes each also earned “Performance of the Night” bonuses for their octagon performances.
