Yoel Romero – Page 9 – Syndication Server

Bellator 266 lineup finalized with the addition of four more prelims

The lineup for Bellator return to its Northern California home base is set with the addition of four new fights on the preliminary card.

The lineup for next week’s Bellator return to its Northern California home base is set with the addition of four new fights on the preliminary card.

[autotag]Rhalan Gracie[/autotag] (0-2 MMA, 0-0 BMMA) will return to MMA for the first time since 2007 when he takes on [autotag]Shane Keefe[/autotag] (1-0 MMA, 0-0 BMMA) at welterweight.

Plus, [autotag]Eddie Abasolo[/autotag] (0-0 MMA, 0-0 BMMA) meets [autotag]Art Hernandez[/autotag] (4-5 MMA, 0-0 BMMA) in a 160-pound contract weight fight; [autotag]Edwin De Los Santos[/autotag] (0-0 MMA, 0-0 BMMA) takes on [autotag]Jon Adams[/autotag] (0-1-1 MMA, 0-1-1 BMMA) at flyweight; and [autotag]Jesse Delgado[/autotag] (0-0 MMA, 0-0 BMMA) fights [autotag]Joshua Dillon[/autotag] (1-1 MMA, 0-0 BMMA) in a 130-pound contract weight bout.

Bellator 266 takes place Sept. 18 at SAP Center in San Jose, Calif. The main card airs on Showtime following prelims on MMA Junkie. The card will be Bellator’s first in San Jose in more than two years.

In the main event, [autotag]Yoel Romero[/autotag] (13-5 MMA, 0-0 BMMA) finally will make his Bellator debut when he takes on former light heavyweight champion [autotag]Phil Davis[/autotag] (22-6 MMA, 9-3 BMMA).

Romero signed with Bellator in December 2020 after a seven-year run with the UFC. He was booked to make his promotional debut against Anthony Johnson to open the Bellator light heavyweight grand prix in May, but was forced to withdraw because of concerns over his eye following a pre-fight medical exam.

Romero, 44, hasn’t fought since March 2020 when he dropped a unanimous decision to UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya at UFC 248, which marked his third consecutive loss. His other two defeats in the skid came against Robert Whittaker and Paulo Costa. Romero hasn’t won since a February 2018 knockout of Luke Rockhold at UFC 221.

Davis is coming off an April unanimous decision loss to champion Vadim Nemkov in the Bellator light heavyweight grand prix, which snapped a three-fight winning streak.

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The Bellator 266 lineup includes:

MAIN CARD (10 p.m. ET, Showtime)

Phil Davis vs. Yoel Romero
[autotag]Neiman Gracie[/autotag] vs. [autotag]Mark Lemminger[/autotag]
[autotag]DeAnna Bennett[/autotag] vs. [autotag]Alejandra Lara[/autotag]
[autotag]Georgi Karakhanyan[/autotag] vs. [autotag]Saul Rogers[/autotag]
[autotag]Christian Edwards[/autotag] vs. [autotag]Ben Parrish[/autotag]

PRELIMINARY CARD (MMA Junkie, 7 p.m. ET)

[autotag]Grant Neal[/autotag] vs. [autotag]Alex Polizzi[/autotag]
[autotag]Anthony Adams[/autotag] vs. [autotag]Khalid Murtazaliev[/autotag]
[autotag]Albert Gonzales[/autotag] vs. [autotag]Abraham Vaesau[/autotag]
[autotag]Socrates Hernandez[/autotag] vs. [autotag]Pedro Juarez[/autotag]
[autotag]Erin Hunter[/autotag] vs. [autotag]Bobby Seronio III[/autotag]
Rhalan Gracie vs. Shane Keefe
Eddie Abasolo vs. Art Hernandez
Jon Adams vs. Edwin De Los Santos
Jesse Delgado vs. Joshua Dillon

How to watch Bellator 266: Davis vs. Romero fight card, streaming and ticket info

Here’s what you need to know to watch Yoel Romero make his promotional debut against Phil Davis in the Bellator 266 main event.

After withdrawing from his originally booked promotional debut, former UFC title challenger [autotag]Yoel Romero[/autotag] is finally prepared to step inside the Bellator cage against former light heavyweight champion [autotag]Phil Davis[/autotag] in a pivotal main event.

Here’s how to watch Bellator 266:

Yoel Romero’s Bellator debut rebooked vs. Phil Davis on September 18

Not only is Yoel Romero ready to return, he now has a fight booked.

Not only is [autotag]Yoel Romero[/autotag] ready to return, he now has a fight booked.

One day after Bellator president Scott Coker told MMA Junkie that Romero has been medically cleared, the promotion rebooked his promotional debut for September 18 against former light heavyweight champion [autotag]Phil Davis[/autotag]. The fight is set to headline Bellator 266, the promotion’s first event at its home base of SAP Center in San Jose, Calif., since Bellator 226 on Sept. 7, 2019.

A person with knowledge of the situation confirmed the booking Friday following an initial report from Ariel Helwani. The promotion later confirmed the news with an announcement.

This is a re-do for Romero, who signed with Bellator last December after a seven-year run with the UFC. Romero (13-5 MMA, 0-0 BMMA) previously was booked to make his debut against Anthony Johnson to open the Bellator light heavyweight grand prix on May 7. However, Romero was forced to withdraw because of concerns about his eye following a pre-fight medical exam.

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Romero, 44, hasn’t competed since March 2020 when he dropped a unanimous decision to UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya at UFC 248, which marked his third consecutive loss. His other two defeats in the skid came against Robert Whittaker and Paulo Costa. Romero hasn’t won since a February 2018 knockout of Luke Rockhold at UFC 221.

Davis (22-6 MMA, 9-3 BMMA), meanwhile, is coming off an April 16 unanimous decision loss to champion Vadim Nemkov in the Bellator light heavyweight grand prix, which snapped a three-fight winning streak.

The current Bellator 266 lineup includes:

Phil Davis vs. Yoel Romero
DeAnna Bennett vs. Alejandra Lara
Adam Piccolotti vs. Saul Rogers
Grant Neal vs. Alex Polizzi

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Yoel Romero receives medical clearance; Bellator zones in on promotional debut

Former UFC middleweight title challenger Yoel Romero was not allowed to compete this past May due to a medical issue.

UNCASVILLE, Conn. – [autotag]Yoel Romero[/autotag] has been granted the medical clearance he needs to make his Bellator debut.

Bellator president Scott Coker revealed Romero (13-5 MMA, 0-0 BMMA), a former UFC middleweight title challenger is once again eligible to compete following a canceled May fight due to an eye issue.

“I think he is cleared now, so I think we’ll be looking to book him and have him fight before the end of the year,” Coker told MMA Junkie on Thursday. “I think he’s good to go on all cylinders moving forward. Give us another week or two and we’ll figure it out and put him on a card somewhere.”

Romero, 44, competed at middleweight in the UFC, but was scheduled to move to 205 pounds and fight Anthony Johnson in the Bellator grand prix earlier this year. Even though the tournament moved on without him, Romero will still compete at light heavyweight in Bellator, at least to start.

“Yes, he’s going to compete at 205,” Coker said. “I think he said he’s willing to cut, but right now, he’s at 205.”

No further details about an opponent, location, date or event were revealed, but MMA Junkie has learned the promotional debut could come as soon as September.

Romero enters Bellator on a three-fight losing skid, though the defeats all came to top-tier competition in UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya, former title challenger Paulo Costa, and former champion Robert Whittaker.

Bellator returns Friday with Bellator 264, which takes place at Mohegan Sun Arena. The main card airs on Showtime after prelims on MMA Junkie.

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Jorge Masvidal, Yoel Romero, others show support for protest against dictatorship in Cuba

Jorge Masvidal, Yoel Romero and others Cuban MMA fighters show support for recent protest against dictatorship in Cuba.

Many Cubans now living in the U.S., as well as Cuban-Americans, have taken to the streets and online to show their support for the unprecedented anti-government protests last week in Cuba.

Among those, several prominent figures in the MMA world have spoken out against Cuba’s communist government. Cuban Olympic medalists [autotag]Yoel Romero[/autotag] and [autotag]Hector Lombard[/autotag], UFC’s [autotag]Jorge Masvidal[/autotag], and others have voiced their outrage on the humanitarian crisis growing on the island.

Protests in Cuba began Sunday, July 11, when thousands of people took to the streets in many cities, including the capital Havana, to demand an end of the decades of dictatorship, chanting, ‘Libertad’ (freedom). The discontent with the Cuban government has been brewing for years, but the situation reached an all-time high as conditions have been worsened by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Cubans today face shortages of food, vaccines, and basic necessities.

The last time Cubans took to the streets to protest was in 1994 in an uprising known as Maleconazo, which took place in Havana. The current protest is said to be the biggest anti-government protest in 30 years.

Below is how some of the Cuban and Cuban descent MMA fighters have reacted to the ongoing uprising in their homeland.

Scott Coker thinks Gegard Mousasi vs. Yoel Romero could happen at some point in Bellator

Yoel Romero might drop back down to 185 pounds, according to the Bellator president.

UNCASVILLE, Conn. – When it comes to matchmaking his middleweight champion, [autotag]Gegard Mousasi[/autotag], there’s one potential fight in particular that stands out to Bellator president Scott Coker.

Mousasi (47-7-2 MMA, 5-1 BMMA) has only competed once since September 2019, and the contenders are starting to line up. With John Salter, Anatoly Tokov, Austin Vanderford, Fabian Edwards and Costello van Steenis chomping at the bit, Coker sees a number of options at 185 pounds.

But there’s one other fight, which Coker highlighted when he spoke to MMA Junkie after the Bellator 259 ceremonial weigh-ins Friday at Mohegan Sun, that sticks out in his mind. The Bellator boss loves the prospect of a Mousasi vs. [autotag]Yoel Romero[/autotag] matchup, even if it’s not in the immediate cards.

“We have a couple of really good fights for Gegard ahead of him,” Coker said. “We have something to announce probably by (Friday), maybe? Or maybe early next week. There are a lot of people who want to fight Gegard, so we have a lot of fights for him lined up. One of those guys is, you know, Romero. He’s a guy that might want to move back down to 185 (pounds). We’re talking to his management, and maybe he can get a fight or two. Then, he also wants to fight for the title. That 185-pound weight class, once we get going on the series here, will have a lot of competition.”

Entering Bellator, Romero (13-5 MMA, 0-0 BMMA) was expected to compete at light heavyweight but withdrew from the current grand prix when he did not receive medical clearance due to an eye issue. No timeline for his return has been given, but the multi-time UFC title challenger will be able to reapply for licensure later this year.

Mousasi, meanwhile, most recently competed at Bellator 250 in October, when he successfully defended his title against Bellator welterweight champion Douglas Lima via unanimous decision.

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Yoel Romero out of Bellator 258 grand prix bout vs. Anthony Johnson

One of the most anticipated fights in Bellator history between Yoel Romero and Anthony Johnson has been canceled.

One of the most anticipated fights in Bellator history has been canceled.

The light heavyweight grand prix matchup between [autotag]Yoel Romero[/autotag] and [autotag]Anthony Johnson[/autotag] at Bellator 258 has been called off after Romero wasn’t cleared to compete following a medical screening.

Bellator officials announced the news to the ViacomCBS-owned CBSSports.com on Thursday. MMA Junkie subsequently verified the announcement with a Bellator official.

According to the report, a tournament alternate fighter will step in for Romero (13-5 MMA, 0-0 BMMA) to face Johnson (22-6 MMA, 0-0 BMMA), although it’s unknown if the matchup will take place on the May 7 card at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn.

Romero was set to make his post-UFC debut in the bout after parting ways with the promotion after a stint that saw him fight for the title three times. It’s unknown exactly why “The Soldier of God” was declined medical clearance.

Johnson, meanwhile, was meant to face Romero in his first bout since retiring from the sport in April 2017. He recently said the matchup was the most anticipated of his career, but will now have to face someone else.

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Yoel Romero, Anthony Johnson predict explosive clash in Bellator 258 grand prix bout

Yoel Romero and Anthony Johnson know exactly what they’re getting into fighting each other at Bellator 258.

[autotag]Yoel Romero[/autotag] and [autotag]Anthony Johnson[/autotag] both appear to be more than ready for a highly anticipated and high-stakes clash at Bellator 258.

Romero (13-5 MMA, 0-0 BMMA) and Johnson (22-6 MMA, 0-0 BMMA) are closing in on their quarterfinal pairing in the Bellator light heavyweight grand prix, which takes place May 7 at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn.

When Bellator was putting together the tournament, it was expected the two new signees would be making their debut as part of the field. There was an urge to see them paired up immediately, and Bellator obliged.

Needless to say, both men are pumped, and Romero thinks it’s a defining bout for his career.

“It’s a very special time,” Romero said during Wednesday’s Bellator 258 virtual press conference. “To be in this grand prix is very good for me. This is an incredible matchup. ‘Rumble’ Johnson is an amazing fighter. When I see ‘Rumble’ Johnson, I see in this division as the top guy. There are many good athletes in this division: Jonny (Jones), ‘DC’ (Daniel Cormier), Tito Ortiz. You need to put his name in this list.”

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Romero will be moving to 205 pounds for the first time since September 2011. After long competing as a middleweight, he said the additional 20 pounds has him happier and healthier as fight night draws near, and he expects to have a more energetic performance when he steps in the cage.

When he does step in, it will be a scene no one could’ve anticipated years ago. It’s pure fantasy matchmaking, but when Romero parted ways with the UFC and Johnson did the same after coming out of retirement, the stars aligned.

Such an unexpected fight between two athletic and devastating knockout artists has generated a lot of excitement, and Johnson said it’s palpable.

“I can feel it, man,” Johnson said. “It’s definitely out there. My (social media) is blowing up. The buzz is definitely out there. I don’t know who is more excited, me or the fans. Just to have a great fight in a great organization with a great opponent, this feels like a dream come true.”

Johnson and Romero have both stood across from some of the most dangerous and decorated fighters in the sport’s history. Multi-division UFC champions, future UFC Hall of Famers and more are commonplace on their respective resumes.

They both agree this is as unpredictable a fight as they’ve ever been involved with, though, and Johnson in particular knows he can’t look past this fight for even a second, despite knowing a title shot against champion Vadim Nemkov awaits the winner in the semifinal round.

“I got my hands full,” Johnson said. “I give Yoel that title: Yoel is the most dangerous fighter I’ve actually faced.”

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Do we know yet who has the best shot at Bellator’s light heavyweight tourney?

We know three of the four semifinalists in Bellator’s light heavyweight tournament – but do we know who the favorite is yet?

Champion [autotag]Vadim Nemkov[/autotag] reached the semis with a title defense win over Phil Davis. Former champ [autotag]Ryan Bader[/autotag] looked good in his first fight to move on. And so did [autotag]Corey Anderson[/autotag].

But we haven’t seen the fourth quarterfinal fight, and it’s between a pair of former UFC standouts making their Bellator debuts: [autotag]Yoel Romero[/autotag] and [autotag]Anthony Johnson[/autotag].

Is one of the three men in the semis the clear favorite to win the tournament? Or do we need to see Romero vs. Johnson before we know what’s what? Our “Spinning Back Clique” panel of “Gorgeous” George Garcia, Brian “Goze” Garcia and Danny Segura broke it down with host John Morgan.

You can watch their discussion in the video above, or check out this week’s full episode below.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v9ngSXxYeUo

Anthony Johnson ready for five rounds with ‘superior athlete’ Yoel Romero at Bellator 258

Anthony “Rumble” Johnson appears to be in top shape and ready for whatever comes his way at Bellator 258.

DEERFIELD BEACH, Fla. – Though he’s never gone past the third round, [autotag]Anthony Johnson[/autotag] faces a potentially tough 25 minutes in his first fight back from retirement.

Johnson (22-6 MMA, 0-0 BMMA) returns from an over four-year layoff to fight [autotag]Yoel Romero[/autotag] in the light heavyweight grand prix quarterfinals, which will serve as the co-main event of Bellator 258 on May 7.

In a battle of two of the most powerful light heavyweights, the judges’ scorecards might not be needed in this one. Throughout his UFC tenure, which included two failed attempts at capturing the 205-pound title, Johnson has been booked for several five-round fights. However, Johnson never has gone past the third round and could find himself in unfamiliar territory.

But “Rumble,” who looks in peak shape, says he’s prepared himself to go the distance.

“Everybody wants three rounds. Who wants five rounds?” Johnson told MMA Junkie on Tuesday. “That’s 25 minutes of fighting. I’d take 15 over 25 any day, but I’m ready for it. My fights don’t usually last five rounds. It’s either me or them, and that’s fine with me. I don’t like leaving anything to the judges at all. But five rounds, if that’s what it has to be, that’s what it has to be.

“I’ve heard that number so many times during my fights for main events and stuff like that. I trained for five rounds. If it doesn’t go five rounds, perfect. Win or lose, perfect, but if it goes five rounds, I’m not worried about it. I have been training hard for this whole entire situation that I’m about to be in May 7.”

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Romero (13-5 MMA, 0-0 BMMA), on the other hand, has not only been the much more active fighter in recent years, but he’s gone the distance in three of his past five fights. But if Romero isn’t displaying a patient approach, he’s usually knocking guys’ heads off, which Johnson admits makes him difficult to figure out.

“Yoel is very tricky,” Johnson said. “He’s an explosive fighter, one of the most explosive fighters I’ve seen. He can wrestle his butt off and can knock you out, too. We’ve seen it in a couple of different fights, so I have to be very aware of whatever he presents to me. So I just gotta do me. I’m not really worried about what he can do. I focus on myself and sharpening my tools, and they have to adjust.

“You have to adjust regardless in a fight because everybody does something different and just because it looks similar in practice does not necessarily mean it’s gonna be like that during the fight. I’m just looking forward to the challenge. I’m ready to go out there and see what happens, see if the 37-year-old still got it. Even though he’s older than me, he still has it. I think he’s a superior athlete. I have nothing bad to say about him because he is a great athlete, and he’s a fighter, and I respect all fighters.”

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