Whittaker fights through pain for UFC title

Kiwi-born Robert Whittaker won the UFC interim middleweight title in Las Vegas yesterday, surging in the late rounds to earn a unanimous decision over Yoel Romero at UFC 213.

Whittaker (20-4) recovered from a hyperextended knee in the first round with a strong striking performance, peppering Romero (12-2) with punches and kicks over the final three rounds. The Australian won his eighth consecutive fight, earning the victory 48-47 on all three judges’ scorecards.

“It’s a moment I’ve always dreamed of,” Whittaker said. “My knee was definitely hurt. I injured it in camp, and Romero’s kick set it back weeks. I know that Romero will capitalize on any weakness he sees, so I had to play it off. That’s just what champions are made of.”

The main event of the UFC’s traditional July showcase was cancelled earlier in the day when bantamweight champion Amanda Nunes was hospitalised. She was scratched from her second title defence against Valentina Shevchenko, who criticised the champion’s preparation for the bout.

Alistair Overeem beat Fabricio Werdum by narrow majority decision in the third career meeting of two veteran heavyweights. Former lightweight champion Anthony Pettis also returned to the division with a unanimous decision victory over Jim Miller in the final show of International Fight Week, the annual mixed martial arts celebration in the UFC’s hometown.

Whittaker took advantage of his bout’s promotion to the main event by claiming the belt in front of a payper-view audience. He earned the chance to fight for the full 185-pound title held for the past year by Michael Bisping, who is injured.

Bisping stepped into the cage afterward and congratulated Whittaker in his own irascible style. “The fact that you’re standing there with a belt on makes me sick,” Bisping said, throwing his own belt on the canvas. “Take that belt. Fight for it.”

The 40-year-old Romero was gracious after his eight-fight winning streak ended, praising his opponent.

R Whittaker will get the chance to remove the interim designation from his belt when Bisping returns from injury. The middleweight division has been in limbo ever since Bisping beat champion Luke Rockhold last summer and then fought Dan Henderson instead of Romero, Whittaker or another top contender.