Yoel Romero might be one of the most decorated wrestlers in the UFC, but he didn't come to Fort Campbell to wrestle. The Cuban Olympian decided he wanted to scrap instead, and it led to a third-round knockout win over Ronny Markes. Markes was able to grapple effectively early, but was totally unable to defend Romero's straight left. It finally caught up to him at the 1:39 mark of round three.
Both men were exclusively throwing kicks over the first part of round one. Markes scored a takedown but Romero was up very fast. Romero scored with a big straight right. When Romero got a little wild, Markes took him down again. Markes looked for a kimura but Romero escaped to his feet. Romero scored with a couple of rights late while Markes stuck with kicking.
Romero opened the second round with a hard body kick and some shots in the clinch. A hard left sent Markes to the canvas, but it might have been a slip. Romero threw Markes to the ground but let him up. He continued to score with the left as Markes slowed down a bit. A big kick to the body sent Markes down again, partially because he missed catching the kick. But once again, they returned to the feet. Markes finally pushed forward and connected with a few shots, but ate a couple of counters in return. They exchanged big lefts before the horn.
Markes continued to pretty the action early in the third but got slowed down by an eyepoke. Romero clipped him with a left behind the ear that stumbled Markes. After working the body for a bit, Romero absolutely clubbed Markes with another straight left that laid him flat out. A couple more big shots ended Markes' night.