Souza, Romero set for key middleweight bout at UFC 194 in Las Vegas
Yoel Romero will fight Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza in a matchup of middleweight contenders on the UFC 194 card at MGM Grand on Dec. 12, sources close to the organization confirmed on Monday.
The two were originally slated to fight in February, but Souza contracted pneumonia and was forced to withdraw. Romero pulled out of the rescheduled date in April when he tore the meniscus in his knee.
Romero has won all six fights since entering the UFC in 2013, including five by knockout. The Olympic silver medalist in wrestling is coming off a third-round knockout of Lyoto Machida in June.
Souza, the former Strikeforce middleweight champion, is on an eight-fight winning streak that includes five straight victories since entering the UFC.
The winner is likely to be in line to challenge for the middleweight belt against either Luke Rockhold or current champion Chris Weidman, who will also fight at UFC 194.
The event is headlined by a featherweight title unification bout between champion Jose Aldo and interim champ Conor McGregor.
Contact reporter Adam Hill at ahill@reviewjournal.com or 702-224-5509. Follow him on Twitter: @adamhilllvrj
