It would appear that UFC Middleweight Champion Israel Adesanya’s first title defense is set for this March.
The title holder recently appeared on Ariel Helwani’s MMA Show to say the bout against Yoel Romero is a “done deal.”
“The fight’s done,” Adesanya said (via Nick Baldwin of The Score). “I literally just got to the gym now. I’m about to get some work in. Make no mistake, I’m still putting work in. I’m still getting ready for my second title defense against a veteran in the game, a veteran in the wrestling, a tough motherf-----, the boogeyman of the division, the guy no one calls out - except ‘Stylebender.’”
Adesanya also revealed during the interview that the bout will happen on March 7 at UFC 248, making it one of two title bouts on the card.
A confident Adesanya also believes that he’ll get what he wants when fighting Romero in two months at UFC 248.
“The fight will happen, and it will happen on our terms as well,” he said. “I’m happy. I have no doubt that I’m going to get what I want out of this fight.”
UFC 248 takes place on Saturday, March 7 from the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada with Israel Adesanya and Yoel Romero headlining. Fightful is providing live coverage of the event, with a post-show podcast to follow.
