‘Jacare’ Souza Meets Yoel Romero at UFC 194 in Title Elimination Bout

Middleweight champion Chris Weidman puts his title on the line against Luke Rockhold in the UFC 194 co-main event on December 12, and the next title contender will be decided on the same card.

Second-ranked Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza will face off against third-ranked Yoel Romero at the MGM Grand Garden Arena with the winner earning a title shot. The Las Vegas Review-Journal first reported the match-up and UFC officials later confirmed the fight.

Souza (22-3, 1 NC), the former Strikeforce middleweight champion, is on an eight-fight winning streak. He hasn’t tasted defeat since September 2011 when he lost to Rockhold by decision.

Romero (10-1) is on a six-fight winning streak and hasn’t lost since the Strikeforce event that Rockhold defeated Souza. The Olympic Silver Medalist in freestyle wrestling is coming off a knockout win over Lyoto Machida in June.

UFC 194 takes place in Las Vegas on Dec. 12 and is headlined by the highly anticipated grudge match between featherweight champion Jose Aldo and interim titleholder Conor McGregor.