Everyone and their dog believed that tonight’s bout between Paulo Costa and Yoel Romero had the potential to be something special, and the middleweights delivered on that hype.

Round one

Romero grazed Costa with a left moments in as the latter pressured. Moments later, he followed up with a takedown attempt but Costa popped right back up. In the ensuing madness, both men scored flash knockdowns, and Costa continued to move forward. Romero threatened with a spinning back fist that missed and then grazed Costa with a right. Costa continued to pressure and came with a heavy flurry. As Romero charged in with a flying knee, he took a knee to the groin and crumped to the mat. Romero took some time and the action resumed.

Romero shot in again but Costa sprawled nicely, and they proceeded to wing massive shots. Moments before the round ended, Costa missed with a spinning head kick.

Round two

Costa continued to move forward in round two behind heavy punches. Romero looked to counter but he ate a hard left. Costa flurried in with Romero against the cage but the latter defended fairly well. Costa started to slow down a bit and Romero scored with jabs. Romero started to move forward more often but in the last minute, Costa picked up the pace. Romero planted an uppercut and then scored with a takedown, right before the round ended.

Round three

Once again, Costa moved forward in round three and Romero looked to counter. Romero took a hard right and responded by hanging out his tongue. Costa took an eye poke not long after and the fight was momentarily halted. Costa winged a couple more, massive hooks and Romero responded by flicking out his tongue again. Romero scored with a nice combo and started to crank up the pressure. Moments later, Romero planted a nice uppercut, and some taunting ensued. Romero’s jab continued to find the mark and then both fighters took a moment to rest. Costa grazed Romero with a head kick in the final minute and then he clinched up. Romero countered with a beautiful trip, however, before the fight ended. Outstanding fight.

Costa was awarded the fight via unanimous decision, however, the decision was met with a chorus of boos.

Here are the results so far for UFC 241, which is going down in Anaheim, California.

Paulo Costa def. Yoel Romero via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

Sodiq Yusuff def. Gabriel Benitez via TKO (punches) R1, 4:14

Derek Brunson def. Ian Heinisch via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

Khama Worthy def. Devonte Smith via TKO (punches) R1, 4:15

Cory Sandhagen def. Raphael Assuncao via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)

Drakkar Klose def. Christos Giagos via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

Casey Kenney def. Manny Bermudez via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

Hannah Cifers def. Jodie Esquibel via unanimous decision (30-28, 30-27, 30-27)

Kyung Ho Kang def. Brandon Davis via split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)

Sabina Mazo def. Shana Dobson via unanimous decision (30-24, 30-25, 30-25)

 

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