Israel Adesanya reflects on 'boring' 2020 fight against Yoel Romero

Former UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya has reflected on his 2020 title defense against Yoel Romero, describing the bout as one of the most boring fights in the organization's history.

Adesanya, who won the match via unanimous decision at UFC 248, explained on his YouTube channel that his tentative approach was a response to a heavy strike from Romero early in the fight. He noted that the impact caused him to see multiple images, leading him to prioritize safety over aggression to avoid a knockout.

While acknowledging the lack of action, Adesanya expressed respect for Romero, stating, “He’s a dangerous man. There’s a reason he didn’t want to come close and there’s a reason I didn’t want to risk again getting hit by that zinger.”