Former Cuban Olympic wrestler Yoel Romero improved to 2-0 in the UFC as he defeated Ronny Markes by knockout in the third round.
The opening round would be a back and fourth round with Romero landing his straight right hand, and Markes scoring two takedowns in the round. Markes would work his top game on the mat, but Romero was able to limit the damage and get the fight back to the feet.
The second round would be on the feet with Romero continuing to land his straight left hand, but Markes started to push the pace in the final minute of the round.
As the third round opened, Markes continued to be aggressive and landed a strike before an accidental eye poke by Romero. After the fight was restarted, Romero landed a pair of strikes that had Markes on his heels. He would be able to recover but started to slow down.
The end of the fight would come when Romero landed a left hand that dropped Markes. He would land two more strikes on the ground before referee Mario Yamasaki would come in to call the fight.
Romero (6-1) has won back to back fights since entering the UFC, and both wins have come by knockout. Markes (14-2) suffers his first defeat in the UFC and it snaps a seven fight winning streak.
UFC Fight Night 31 Results:
Yoel Romero def. Ronny Markes via KO (strikes) – Round 3, 1:39
Rustam Khabilov def. Jorge Masvidal via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 30-27)
Michael Chiesa def. Colton Smith via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 2, 1:41
Bobby Green def. James Krause via TKO (kick) – Round 1, 3:50
Francisco Rivera def. George Roop via TKO (strikes) – Round 2, 2:20
Dennis Bermudez def. Steven Siler via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Amanda Nunes def. Germaine de Randamie via TKO (strikes) – Round 1, 3:56
Lorenz Larkin def. Chris Camozzi via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
Yancy Medeiros def. Yves Edwards via KO (strikes) – Round 1, 2:47
Seth Baczynski def. Neil Magny via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Derek Brunson def. Brian Houston via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 1, :48