Cortavious Romious

Gaston Bolanos vs. Cortavious Romious
BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Romious (-180), Bolanos (+150)

Round 1
In January, Bolanos (7-4, 1-1 UFC), known for his spinning strike prowess, ultimately saw his undoing due to a spinning attack from an opponent. He will try to get back in the win column against ultra-aggressive grappler Romious (9-2, 0-0 UFC). The UFC debutant can be dragged into a brawl, and Bolanos would like nothing more as a striker by trade. No matter where the fight plays out, referee Kerry Hatley will able to follow it every step of the way. Gloves are touched from the bantamweights to open the matchup, and it leans to kick from both fighters. Bolanos stays at kicking range, potshotting Romious with heavy blows. When Romious tries to respond, he goes in the air to attack and is knocked on the ground for his effort. Romious climbs back up, and the two lob high kicks at one another. Bolanos reaches out with a big overhand right, and he ducks one that comes back at him. Romious ducks a punch to shoot in for a double, and his second attempt slams “The Dreamkiller” to the mat with emphasis. Bolanos hits the mat and scrambles enough to gain top position, only to have to fight off a dangerous armbar attempt. Romious’ armbar is thwarted, and when he sets up another submission, Bolanos backs off. Romious stands up with his back to the wall, and Bolanos leans on him while working him with knees to the thigh and body. Fierce low kicks from Bolanos fly when he gains space on the separation, and each one lands with resounding impact. Romious jabs a few times, and he absorbs two right hands while looking for wild counters. Romious shrugs off a body kick, but a second nails the same spot as he frowns. Bolanos beats on his foe’s lead leg, and they sling hooks in close range but somehow miss across the board. Bolanos pounds on the midsection with a few more kicks, and Romious ducks a winging punch and shoots for a double. Bolanos rolls his eyes as he gets pushed back to the fence, and he turns Romious around and is warned for grabbing the cage to achieve this. Bolanos backs off to levy a few kicks, and Romious counters with a big right hand that hurts him badly. The two roll around on the mat, and Bolanos shreds open a cut on the corner of the newcomer’s right eye immediately before the bell.

Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Bolanos
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Romious
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Romious

Round 2
The two are having a blast in the cage, and they smile and touch ‘em up before getting going. Romious surges through a few strikes to change levels, and he leverages Bolanos to the mat. When Bolanos stands back up, Romious slams him back down with a partial suplex. Romious sets up a body triangle, and he goes fishing for a choke. Bolanos hand-fights to defend the submission, briefly sitting up but getting pulled back down. Romious grabs hold of a short choke, a modified rear-naked choke that can materialize out of nowhere, and Bolanos has to defend it. And finds his way into another. Romious latches on with a face crank, hoping the pain-inducing submission will do enough, but Bolanos is tough as a two-dollar steak. Bolanos turns over, and Romious follows him every step of the way and is leaned with his back to the fencing. Romious keeps both hooks in when losing the body lock, and Bolanos scoots and pulls himself out of danger while hammering Romious with ruthless elbows. The elbows do enough to allow Bolanos to climb back up, and he is incensed and ready to get the job done. Bolanos hammers his opponent with close, harmful elbows, further opening the cut—one that was actually from a clash of heads, and not a strike—with his offense. Bolanos drags Romious down and opens up with heavy shots, and Romious hangs on tight in hopes of riding out the remainder of the round. Bolanos does not want this to happen, and he unloads high-amplitude elbows that make Romious turn all the way to his stomach. Romious manages to make it out of the round, and scores could be all over the map.

Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Bolanos
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Bolanos
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Bolanos

Round 3
The bantamweights hug it out as the third round is reached, and Bolanos reintroduces himself with a thumping low kick that staggers Romious. Romious bites down on his mouthpiece and throws a big punch, only for Bolanos to bowl him over. Romious sets up a calf slicer when wrapping up Bolanos’ left leg, and Bolanos turns through the pretzel-like position and gets dumped on his back. Bolanos throws his legs up for a possible triangle choke, and Romious sits up and practically falls into an armbar. Bolanos loses the grip and cannot follow Romious, who spins around to take his back while they are both grounded. Bolanos walks to the fence and stands up despite Romious’ arms around his waist, and he turns around and plants Romious on his back. Bolanos winds up in the closed guard, but he opens it up with hacking elbows and hammerfists. Bolanos gets away with a knee to the chest that would have been illegal even with the new grounded fighter language, and Romious bursts upright and tries to hit a double. Bolanos fights it off and lifts up a knee, and his body lock allows him to put the newcomer back down on the mat. Bolanos scores a few right hands before Romious closes his guard. Romious uses his legs to push off the chest when opening the guard up, and he stands up and shoots for a diving takedown that puts “The Dreamkiller” on the canvas. Bolanos kicks him off, and Romious tackles him back down. Romious starts swinging his fists, but Bolanos’ elbows off his back appear more substantial and frequent. Bolanos spams these elbows until 15 minutes are in the books, and judges may have their hands full here.

Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Bolanos (30-27 Bolanos)
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Bolanos (29-28 Bolanos)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Bolanos (29-28 Bolanos)

The Official Result
Gaston Bolanos def. Cortavious Romious via Unanimous Decision (30-26, 30-27, 30-27)