Yoel Romero News

Yoel Romero
Yoel Romero

46-year-old Yoel Romero downplays age ahead of PFL vs. Bellator card: "My performances have been good!"

Josh Evanoff - January 26, 2024

46-year-old Yoel Romero believes that his age is somewhat of an advantage ahead of his return at PFL vs. Bellator next month. ‘Soldier of God’ has been out of the cage since a clash with Vadim Nemkov at Bellator 297 in June. That bout was a major one for Yoel Romero, as it was his first title bout since a 2020 decision loss to Israel Adesanya. To earn the bout, he scored dominant knockout wins over Melvin Manhoef, and Alex Polizzi.

PFL, Bellator, Fight Card, Yoel Romero
Professional Fighters League (PFL)

Several bouts announced for PFL vs. Bellator event, including Yoel Romero vs. Thiago Santos

Susan Cox - January 16, 2024

Several bouts have been announced for the PFL vs. Bellator event, including Yoel Romero vs. Thiago Santos. The much-anticipated PFL vs. Bellator event is set for Saturday, February 24th in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Israel Adesanya, Yoel Romero
UFC

Yoel Romero believes Israel Adesanya was "scared" against Sean Strickland

Cole Shelton - October 3, 2023

Yoel Romero thinks Israel Adesanya fought scared against Sean Strickland. Adesanya was coming off a KO win over Alex Pereira back in April, and the fight against Strickland was one he didn’t want in the first place. Instead, ‘The Last Stylebender’ wanted to face Dricus Du Plessis, but an injury kept him from getting the bout.

Vadim Nemkov and Scott Coker
Scott Coker

Scott Coker praises Vadim Nemkov after win over Yoel Romero: "Best 205-pounder on the planet"

Josh Evanoff - June 19, 2023

Scott Coker crowned Vadim Nemkov as the best light-heavyweight on the planet after his win over Yoel Romero. The Russian made his return to the cage on Friday night in the main event of Bellator 297. There, he faced the ‘Soldier of God’, who entered the contest riding a two-fight winning streak. However, Yoel Romero’s recent success ended over the weekend.

Sergio Pettis vs. Patricio Pitbull
Vadim Nemkov

Bellator 297 Weigh-in Results

Zain Bando - June 15, 2023

Bellator returns to the Windy City Friday night for Bellator 297 with two world title fights to top the bill from Wintrust Arena. This is the promotion’s second trip back to Chicago, Ill., in less than a year, as Bellator 288 took place last November from the same venue. Former UFC middleweight title challenger and interim champion Yoel Romero puts his two-fight win streak on the line against current Bellator light heavyweight champion Vadim Nemkov in the Bellator 297 main event, who defends his title in Chicago again.

Vadim Nemkov

WATCH | Vadim Nemkov has virtual face-off with Yoel Romero as 'Soldier of God' misses presser due to fear of heights

Josh Evanoff - June 14, 2023

Bellator light-heavyweight champion Vadim Nemkov had a unique staredown with Yoel Romero today. The Russian has been out of the cage since his rematch with Corey Anderson last October. At Bellator 288, Vadim Nemkov scored a unanimous decision win over ‘Overtime’ to retain his light-heavyweight title. That was a huge win for the champion, as it set the record for most Bellator title defenses in the division, with three.

Yoel Romero, Israel Adesanya
Yoel Romero

Bellator 297: Yoel Romero says the MMA community ‘knows what happened’ in last title fight appearance

Zain Bando - June 14, 2023

Yoel Romero has not forgotten what happened the last time he competed in Chicago. The 46-year-old Cuban light heavyweight was on the wrong end of a 2018 middleweight title fight with Robert Whittaker, a fight many believed Romero did enough to earn a decision.

Bellator 297
Vadim Nemkov

Two title fights announced for Bellator 297, including Vadim Nemkov vs. Yoel Romero

Lewis Simpson - March 27, 2023

Bellator MMA has announced a spectacular two-title fight card that will go down on June 16 in Chicago, Illinois, at Bellator 297. After a successful turnout last November at the Wintrust Arena, where Vadim Nemkov defended his title against Cory Anderson at Bellator 288, the promotion is heading back with a mouthwatering card.

Ryan Bader, Fedor Emelianenko
Fedor Emelianenko

Fedor Emelianenko's retirement fight against Ryan Bader to headline Bellator 290 on CBS in February

Josh Evanoff - November 18, 2022

Bellator’s debut on CBS next year has some serious star power. ‘The Last Emperor’ has been out of the cage since his knockout win over Timothy Johnson in October 2021. Following the victory, Emelianenko revealed he would only compete one more time. He subsequently called for a rematch with Ryan Bader.

Yoel Romero, Bellator 266
Yoel Romero

Bellator champion Johnny Eblen discusses a potential fight with Yoel Romero: “I don’t know if that dude’s all natural”

Harry Kettle - September 27, 2022

Bellator middleweight champion Johnny Eblen has given his thoughts on a potential fight against Yoel Romero in the future. This past weekend at Bellator 285 in Dublin, Yoel Romero was able to knock Melvin Manhoef out with a nasty series of elbows to take his current win streak with the promotion up to two. The 45-year-old, known as the ‘Soldier of God’, is still one of the most feared men in the sport – which says a lot about the impact he’s been able to have in the second half of his illustrious career.

Yoel Romero
Melvin Manhoef

Pros react after Yoel Romero TKO's Melvin Manhoef at Bellator 285

Chris Taylor - September 23, 2022

Tonight’s Bellator 285 event was co-headlined by a highly anticipated light heavyweight bout between Yoel Romero and Melvin Manhoef. Romero (15-6 MMA) was returning to action for the first time since scoring a TKO victory over Alex Polizzi this past May at Bellator Paris. That victory had snapped a four-fight losing skid for ‘The Soldier of God’, as Romero previously suffered a string of decision defeats to Robert Whittaker, Paulo Costa, Israel Adesanya and Phil Davis.

Yoel Romero
Melvin Manhoef

Bellator 285 Results: Yoel Romero TKO's Melvin Manhoef (Video)

Chris Taylor - September 23, 2022

Tonight’s Bellator 285 event is co-headlined by a highly anticipated light heavyweight bout between Yoel Romero and Melvin Manhoef. Romero (14-6 MMA) will be returning to action for the first time since scoring a TKO victory over Alex Polizzi this past May at Bellator Paris. That victory snapped a four-fight losing skid for ‘The Soldier of God’, as Romero had previously suffered a string of decision defeats to Robert Whittaker, Paulo Costa, Israel Adesanya and Phil Davis.

Yoel Romero, Bellator 266
Melvin Manhoef

Yoel Romero reveals plans to defeat Melvin Manhoef, then search for Bellator champ-champ status: "My goals are still the same"

Josh Evanoff - September 15, 2022

Bellator light-heavyweight contender Yoel Romero has some big plans for 2023. ‘Soldier of God’ has been out of action since his knockout win over Alex Polizzi in May. The victory was an important one for the Cuban, as it was his first win in the Bellator cage. Romero had previously lost by decision to Phil Davis in his September 2021 debut.

Israel Adesanya, Yoel Romero
UFC

Israel Adesanya reflects on Yoel Romero fight as the lowest point of his career: "That was the worst for me"

Josh Evanoff - August 26, 2022

UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya views his fight with Yoel Romero as the lowest moment of his career. ‘The Last Stylebender’ met ‘Soldier of God’ in the main event of UFC 248 in March 2020. The headliner was set to be the first title defense for the recently-crowned champion Adesanya. Despite high expectations heading in, the matchup wasn’t a thriller as fans hoped.

Yoel-Romero
UFC

Yoel Romero responds after Conor McGregor vows to model the second half of his career after the “Mad Cubano”

Harry Kettle - August 22, 2022

Yoel Romero has responded to Conor McGregor after the Irishman praised his style and longevity in mixed martial arts. While he may not be the most conventional fighter in the world, Yoel Romero is certainly unique. The 45-year-old has incredible knockout power, amazing durability, a great wrestling pedigree and so much more – which is why he’s still considered to be a top star for Bellator despite being in his mid-40s.

Yoel Romero, Bellator 266
Yoel Romero

Alex Polizzi reveals Yoel Romero broke his jaw at Bellator 280 (Photo)

Susan Cox - May 26, 2022

Alex Polizzi has revealed that Yoel Romero broke his jaw at Bellator 280. It was Polizzi (10-1 MMA) vs Romero (12-6 MMA) in the co-main light heavyweight bout on May 6, 2022 at Bellator 280. In front of a sold out crowd, referee, Mike Beltran, waived off the fight at 4:59 of Round 3, giving Yoel Romero the TKO victory.

Yoel-Romero
Gegard Mousasi

Yoel Romero has one stipulation for a potential fight with Bellator champion Gegard Mousasi

Harry Kettle - May 5, 2022

Yoel Romero is interested in taking on Gegard Mousasi in Bellator – but only if the middleweight championship is on the line. While he may be on a four-fight losing streak, Yoel Romero still seems to be one of the most popular figures in mixed martial arts. This weekend, he’ll return to the Bellator cage in Paris for his second appearance with the promotion as he takes on Alex Polizzi.

Yoel Romero, Bellator 266
Melvin Manhoef

Yoel Romero receives new opponent for Bellator 280 after Melvin Manhoef suffers injury while apprehending three burglars

Harry Kettle - May 2, 2022

Yoel Romero has received a new opponent for Bellator 280 following the recent withdrawal of Melvin Manhoef. While he may now be entering his mid-40s, Yoel Romero is still one of the most feared fighters out there – largely due to the reputation he’s been building throughout the course of his time in mixed martial arts.