Robert Whittaker promises ‘fireworks’ against ‘amazing fighter’ Yoel Romero

Robert Whittaker’s first official title defense will come against the man he beat to win the interim middleweight championship at UFC 213: Yoel Romero.

Whittaker, 27, suffered a leg injury during that fight but soldiered on to win a unanimous decision. The surging middleweight was expected to defend the belt against Luke Rockhold on home soil in Perth, Australia, but was forced to withdraw after suffering a nasty staph infection and a bout of chicken pox.

That’s when Romero, 40, stepped in as his replacement and went on to KO Rockhold in the third round at UFC 221.

Although Whittaker won a pretty clear-cut decision over ‘Soldier of God last year, ‘The Reaper’ promises ‘fireworks’ in the upcoming rematch at UFC 225.

“He’s an amazing athlete. He’s an amazing fighter, and he was hella annoying to fight the first time, so I’m looking forward to a real annoying fight the second time,” Whittaker told John Morgan of MMA Junkie in a recent interview. “I’m doing everything in my favor to stack the chips on my side, and I’m going to get in there and give him hell.

“If you want to see fireworks, make sure you tune in and watch me and Yoel go at it.”

Romero, a former Olympic silver medalist, is one of the most feared fighters in the middleweight division and has steamrolled the likes of Lyoto Machida, Chris Weidman and Rockhold.

The championship rematch between Whittaker and Romero will feature as the headlining bout for UFC 225. The pay-per-view takes place on June 9 at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois.