Most people have panned the performances of both the champion and the challenger for the lackluster main event, but UFC President Dana White blames Romero for how things went down.
?I do (think it was Romero?s fault),? White said at the post-fight press conference (via Nolan King & John Morgan of MMA Junkie). ?He literally went out and stood in the middle of the ? when the bell rang in the first round, just stood there with his hands up. You know what I mean? You?re going in and facing the world champion. This is your last shot at a championship. You shouldn?t even be here getting this title fight. It should be Paulo Costa. If he didn?t get hurt, you don?t even get this opportunity. You go in, and you do everything you can to win that fight. He literally did none of that.?
Adesanya and Romero both blamed each other for the lackluster UFC 248 main event in post-fight interviews, while future title challenger Paulo Costa called Adesanya a shameful champion after the event.
White also doesn?t expect to see Romero getting anymore shots at the UFC Middleweight Championship.
?A path back to the title after that performance?? White said. ?You?re crazy even asking that question right now. He looked terrible tonight. He literally gave up an opportunity tonight. Maybe he comes back in his next fight and looks like Yoel Romero. But if he doesn?t, I wouldn?t expect him to fight another 10 years looking like that.?
There is no word yet as to what is next for Romero, while Adesanya will most likely defend the title next against Costa.