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The Ultimate Fighting Championship returns to the Windy City this weekend for UFC 225: Whittaker vs. Romero 2. The main event features a bout between top middleweights Robert Whittaker and Yoel Romero. Whittaker was initially set to defend his title against Romero, but the challenger was unable to make weight and the title is no longer on the line. In the co-main event, Rafael dos Anjos vs. Colby Covington takes place for the interim welterweight title.
Also on the main card is the return of CM Punk, who takes on Mike Jackson, and the UFC debut of top women’s featherweight contender Megan Anderson who faces former women’s bantamweight titleholder Holly Holm.
Ahead of this weekend’s event, the UFC uploaded its behind-the-scenes YouTube series “UFC Embedded” to give you an up-close look at what the fighters go through on fight week as they make their final preparations for Saturday night.
Below is all of the information you will need leading up to the fight, including every episode of UFC 225 Embedded.
UFC 225: Fight Time & Viewing Details
Event: UFC 225: Whittaker vs. Romero 2
Date: Saturday, June 9, 2018
Location: Chicago, Illinois
Venue: United Center
Pay-Per-View Card Time: 10:00 P.M. EST
Broadcast: UFC Fight Pass, FOX Sports 1, Pay-per-view
UFC 225 Embedded, Episode 1
On Episode 1 of UFC 225 Embedded, former lightweight champion Rafael Dos Anjos does media leading up to his interim title shot in a second weight class. Welterweight opponent Colby Covington continues his training at American Top Team, where he declares himself “King of Brazil,” then packs for his trip. Middleweight champion Robert Whittaker gets his bearings with secret stretches in the event’s host city of Chicago.
UFC 225 Embedded, Episode 2
On Episode 2 of UFC 225 Embedded, middleweight champion Robert Whittaker keeps things normal with frequent meals and family time. Australian heavyweight Tai Tuivasa, in town to fight legend Andrei Arlovski, struggles to understand the still waters of the Lake Michigan beach. Interim welterweight title contender Colby Covington turns a media trip into father-son bonding time, as opponent Rafael Dos Anjos trains alongside featherweight champion Cris Cyborg. Middleweight title challenger Yoel Romero does press in New York City.
UFC 225 Embedded, Episode 3
On Episode 3 of UFC 225 Embedded, interim welterweight title contender Colby Covington talks about the downside of his bad-guy persona, and middleweight champion Robert Whittaker destresses with a favorite pastime. Heavyweight Tai Tuivasa continues his Chicago takeover to the point that he steps in as tour guide. Fighters check in, including featherweight Megan Anderson and middleweight title challenger Yoel Romero, and the Australians on the card brave a cold-weather photo shoot. Chicago’s own UFC 225 stars CM Punk and Clay Guida provide musical entertainment at a Cubs game.
UFC 225 Embedded, Episode 4
On Episode 4 of UFC 225 Embedded, interim welterweight title contender Colby Covington continues his fight week family vacation. Featherweight Megan Anderson and welterweight title contender Rafael Dos Anjos continue to work their heavy hands in the training areas. Hotel ballrooms host a who’s-who of UFC 225, including middleweight champion Robert Whittaker, CM Punk, Ricardo Lamas, Andrei Arlovski and Holly Holm. Middleweight title challenger Yoel Romero joins the stars of the card for the official open workouts, where the Chicago fans make their favorites clear.
UFC 225 Embedded, Episode 5
On Episode 5 of UFC 225 Embedded, a star-studded media day includes middleweight champion Robert Whittaker, opponent Yoel Romero and former titleholders Holly Holm, Rafael Dos Anjos, Andrei Arlovski, Rashad Evans and Carla Esparza. UFC 225’s athletes — including CM Punk, Tai Tuivasa, Megan Anderson, Sergio Pettis, Charles Oliveira, Colby Covington and Mike Jackson — talk to media and stare down their opponents. Afterward, Punk offers a backstage peek at the United Center, and Anderson begins her weight cut. On Friday morning all fighters make weight except for one, leaving the event’s headliner in jeopardy. But all parties make it to the ceremonial weigh-in, where UFC President Dana White confirms that Whittaker and Romero will indeed rematch.