UFC 225 took place Saturday, June 9, 2018 in Chicago, Illinois. The card was headlined by a middleweight bout between Yoel Romero and Robert Whittaker.
Closing odds are courtesy of BetDSI. Here’s a quick recap of each of those fights.
Favorites that Won Robert Whittaker was knocked down multiple times, but found a way to survive and squeak out a split decision victory over Yoel Romero. Whittaker closed -305 while Romero closed +245.
Colby Covington out worked Rafael dos Anjos with constant pressure not allowing the Brazilian space to operate to win a decision and the interim welterweight championship. Covington closed -165 with the return on dos Anjos +135.
Holly Holm employed a grappling heavy attack controlling Megan Anderson on the ground to win a decision. Holm closed -170. Anderson closed +140.
In a back and forth striking contest, Tai Tuivasa was challenged by Andrei Arlovski but was rewarded with the decision by the judges. Tuivasa closed -250 with Arlovski closing at +200.
Mike Jackson had no trouble with CM Punk out classing him on the feet and even beating him up on the ground to win a clear decision across the board. Jackson closed -205 while Punk closed +165.
Curtis Blaydes made an emphatic mark on the heavyweight division with a brutal third round knockout over Alistair Overeem from top position. Blaydes closed -205 with the return on Overeem +165.
Claudia Gadelha was dropped in round one, but overcame it to still win the round and have a strong round two to do enough to beat former strawweight champion Claudia Esparza by decision in a very competitive contest. Gadelha closed -270 while Esparza closed +220.
Ricardo Lamas threatened with submissions in the final round, but it wasn’t enough to get the victory over Mirsad Bektic. The Bosnian born featherweight won the bout by split decision. Bektic closed -255 with the return on Lamas +205.
Chris de la Rocha took advantage of an exhausted Rashad Coulter in the second round landing punches from full mount until the referee stepped in to stop the bout. De la Rocha closed -120 while Coulter closed -110.
Anthony Smith made quick work of Rashad Evans landing a big knee in the opening minute of the fight flooring Evans and sending him to the mat. Smith closed -200. Evans closed +160.
Charles Oliveira took advantage of a poor takedown attempt by Clay Guida latching onto Guida’s neck forcing him to tap in the first round for his 10th submission victory in his UFC career. Oliveira closed -148 with the return on Guida +118.
Dan Ige secured an early takedown and landed some vicious punches on the ground to beat Mike Santiago by TKO in the opening minute of round one. Ige closed -120 while Santiago closed -110.
Underdogs that Won Sergio Pettis dropped Joseph Benavidez in the first round, but ended up in a dog fight with the former title challenger. Pettis squeaked out a split decision for the biggest win of his career. Pettis closed +145 while Benavidez closed -175.
