The lone newcomer on Saturday’s UFC 309 card in New York City was featherweight Roberto Romero, stepping up on short notice to face David Onama.
Onama had been booked to face Lucas Almeida initially; luckily for him, Mexico’s Romero was willing to step in, successfully making weight on Friday.
The fight started with a nice right hand and leg kick from Romero. He attacked the inside leg of Onama rapidly. Onama was more composed and was getting a bigger reaction when landing. Romero was ripping that lead leg kick though, and it was giving Onama issues. Targeting not just the leg, Onama landed a few good kicks to the body as well.
As the round continued, Romero wasn’t giving his opponent any respect, and he dropped Onama with a huge left hand! He had the back for a moment but Onama returned to his feet. Onama used a front choke to get off the fence. They separated with a minute left and both started trading. Romeo landed a left hand that backed up Onama and a right soon after. With seconds left Onama landed a good left and then a right dropping Romero at the bell.
In round two Romero was back to the leg kicks. They was both dragging each other into brawls that seemed as if anyone could go down at any point. Romero was the aggressor and Onama was trying to pick with the jab and left hand. Romero was getting hit more and more as you could hear the thudding punches Onama was landing. Romero was doing well at moving his head while advancing. At the same time when he would throw, Onama was beating him to the punch. Romero attempted a spinning elbow but missed and fell to his back. Romeo was visibly gassed which was expected, given he took the fight on short notice. Onama was able to keep top position to the bell after another action-packed round.
In the final round, things started with Romero not pressing the action enough as he had the other two rounds. Onama landed a nice combination to the body. Onama was feeling himself, chirping at Romero. Romero obliged and came forward. He wasn’t having the same success as Onama was settling in. Romero did land a glancing head kick but Onama used it to get the takedown right into mount. Onama wasn’t doing much damage and Romero was able to get the guard. Onama then started to land some short elbows and posturing up with punches. Romero tried to use a leg lock to scramble but it didn’t work and off his back is where he ended the fight.
For the second time on the night to that point, the fight went to the scorecards, with David Onama taking the win on all three. Still, a fun, entertaining fight and not a bad UFC debut by Roberto Romero, regardless of the result.
Official Result: David Onama def. Roberto Romero by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
