New Zealand-born UFC fighter Robert Whittaker will get the title shot he has been craving when he enters the octagon against Cuban Yoel Romero at UFC 213 on July 8 in Las Vegas.
With champion Michael Bisping sidelined due to a knee injury, Whittaker has been pitched into an interim middleweight title fight with Romero, with the winner expected to face Bisping in a unification bout later this year.
"He's a tough dude," Whittaker said of Romero. "He's got a lot of experience at Olympic-level wrestling. I've got a lot of respect for him and I'll be training my absolute ass off for this fight. Come fight night we'll see who can put their plan into action.
"My game plan is obviously going to be to keep him standing."
Whittaker, who is based in Australia, is fresh off a brilliant second round knockout of Brazilian Ronaldo "Jacare" Souza, a victory which extended his winning streak to seven. He is unbeaten since his move to 185 pounds (83.91kg).
