Bellator 297: ‘Nemkov vs. Romero’ Live Results

Bellator 297 goes down tonight, live at the Wintrust Arena in Chicago, Ill. The promotion’s second trip to Wintrust Arena features a double main event offering with Vadim Nemkov defending his light heavyweight title against former UFC middleweight title challenger Yoel Romero.

While Nemkov is undefeated in Bellator, Romero, 46, is looking for a spark to finally win his first-ever undisputed title and extend his own winning streak to three.

In the co-headliner for Bellator 297, history is at stake, as Patricio Pitbull will look to become MMA’s three-division belt-holder, a feat that has never been accomplished in any promotion, regardless of weight class. Standing across from him is Sergio Pettis, who returns to Bellator for the first time in over a year after nursing a knee injury that kept him absent from making his mark in the Grand Prix. The winner will be crowned the bantamweight champion and will face the interim champion, Patchy Mix, in their next bout.

Bellator 297’s main card also features some Chicago flavor as well. Corey Anderson, a Rockton native, faces Phil Davis. And Daniel James, riding a five-fight win streak and back-to-back wins inside the Bellator cage (including one in Chicago) will look to punch his ticket toward a heavyweight title fight with a win against Gokhan Saricam in the televised Showtime opening bout of Bellator 297.

The  Bellator 297 prelims also feature the returns of Cody Law, Archie Colgan, and Jordan Newman, to name a few. Below is the final bout order, per the promotion.

Follow along for all the live results below.

MAIN CARD (Showtime, 9 p.m. ET/ 6 p.m. PT)

• (5×5): Light Heavyweight World Title Bout: C-Vadim Nemkov (16-2) vs. #3-Yoel Romero (15-6-1)

Q• (5×5): Bantamweight World Title Bout: C-Sergio Pettis (22-5) vs. C-Patricio “Pitbull” (35-5)

The first big move of the fight! 👀

A takedown from @PatricioPitbull against the champion.#Bellator297 LIVE NOW:
🇺🇸 @SHOsports / 🇧🇷 @combate
🌍 Find out how to watch ▶️ https://t.co/jPjMHzLhCd pic.twitter.com/5IAkb59Nac

— Bellator MMA (@BellatorMMA) June 17, 2023

Much needed moment for @PatricioPitbull.#Bellator297 LIVE NOW:
🇺🇸 @SHOsports / 🇧🇷 @combate
🌍 Find out how to watch ▶️ https://t.co/jPjMHzLhCd pic.twitter.com/g1zbPUJHuS

— Bellator MMA (@BellatorMMA) June 17, 2023

Official result: Sergio Pettis (23-5) def Patricio Pitbull (35-6) via unanimous decision (49-46, 50-45 x2)

• (3×5): Light Heavyweight Bout: #1-Corey Anderson (16-6) vs. #2-Phil Davis (24-6)

🤼 Level change from @CoreyA_MMA!#Bellator297 LIVE NOW on @SHOsports 🇺🇸
🌍 Find out how to watch ▶️ https://t.co/jPjMHzLhCd pic.twitter.com/ef9Iddp3xP

— Bellator MMA (@BellatorMMA) June 17, 2023

This one is gonna be a scramble! 🤼#Bellator297 LIVE NOW on @SHOsports 🇺🇸
🌍 Find out how to watch ▶️ https://t.co/jPjMHzLhCd pic.twitter.com/fCzZbn13VH

— Bellator MMA (@BellatorMMA) June 17, 2023

Official result: Corey Anderson (17-6) def. Phil Davis (24-7) via split decision (28-29, 29-28, 28-29)

• (3×5): Heavyweight Bout: #4-Daniel James (15-6) vs. #10-Gokhan Saricam (8-2)

Gokhan Saricam just throwing @djames1981 around to end the final round!

Who won that fight? 👀#Bellator297 | LIVE NOW | @SHOsports 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/Dx9JSaztAB

— Bellator MMA (@BellatorMMA) June 17, 2023

Official result: Gokhan Saricam (9-2) def. Daniel James (15-7) via unanimous decision (30-27 x3)

PRELIMINARY CARD (Bellator YouTube, Pluto TV, Showtime Sports’ YouTube channel, 6 p.m. ET/ 3 p.m. PT)

• (3×5): Heavyweight Bout: Wladmir Gouvea (1-0) vs. Gabriel Sayeg (1-1)

Annihilation! 🔥

The thunderous body shot from Wladmir Gouvea was the beginning of the end. What a finish!

📺 #Bellator297 @MonsterEnergy Postlims fueled by @superiorgrocers pic.twitter.com/fCRtYQ7YGz

— Bellator MMA (@BellatorMMA) June 17, 2023

Official result: Wladmir Gouvea (2-0) defeated Gabriel Sayeg (1-2) via KO (:20, Round 1)

• (3×5): Welterweight Bout: Kyle Crutchmer (9-2) vs. Bobby Nash (12-4)

The Tulsa King! 👊@KyleCrutchmer hammers @B_Nashty for the stoppage W!

📺 #Bellator297 @MonsterEnergy Postlims fueled by @superiorgrocers LIVE NOW pic.twitter.com/OGsXYziOqp

— Bellator MMA (@BellatorMMA) June 17, 2023

Official result: Kyle Crutchmer (10-2) def. Bobby Nash (12-5) via TKO (3:42, Round 1)

• (3×5): Lightweight Bout: #9-Gadzhi Rabadanov (19-4-1) vs. Pieter Buist (17-6)

Official result: Gadzhi Rabadanov (20-4-1) def. Pieter Buist (17-7) via unanimous decision (29-28 x3)

Huge pressure from @rpd_88 with the submission but Gadzhi Rabadanov gets out.

📺 #Bellator297 @MonsterEnergy Prelims fueled by @superiorgrocers LIVE NOW pic.twitter.com/cq685ospq3

— Bellator MMA (@BellatorMMA) June 17, 2023

Great escape from @rpd_88! But Gadzhi Rabadanov keeps the pressure on.

📺 #Bellator297 @MonsterEnergy Prelims fueled by @superiorgrocers LIVE NOW pic.twitter.com/oeEXctLKz5

— Bellator MMA (@BellatorMMA) June 17, 2023

• (3×5): Welterweight Bout: Jaleel Willis (16-4) vs. Ramazan Kuramagomedov (10-0)

THAT'S A PERFECT DEBUT! 😳

Welcome to the Bellator cage, Ramazan Kuramagomedov. 🫡

📺 #Bellator297 @MonsterEnergy Prelims fueled by @superiorgrocers LIVE NOW pic.twitter.com/FQbUPMx9JR

— Bellator MMA (@BellatorMMA) June 17, 2023

Official result: Ramazan Kuramagomedov (11-0) def. Jaleel Willis (16-5) via KO (1:24, Round 1)

• (3×5): Lightweight Bout: Mike Hamel (10-5) vs. Shamil Nikaev (10-0, 1 NC)

Official result: Mike Hamel (11-5) def. Shamil Nikaev (10-1, 1 NC) via majority decision (28-28, 29-28, 29-28)

📊 By The Numbers

A magic moment for @magicmikemma who claims the majority decision over Shamil Nikaev.

📺 #Bellator297 @MonsterEnergy Postlims fueled by @superiorgrocers LIVE NOW pic.twitter.com/u4xQNX1jyP

— Bellator MMA (@BellatorMMA) June 17, 2023

• (3×5): Middleweight Bout: Norbert Novenyi Jr. (6-0) vs. Kamil Oniszczuk (9-2)

HE DOES IT AGAIN! 🔥@magicnorbi just keeps getting better and better inside the Bellator cage. Huge KNOCKOUT!

📺 #Bellator297 @MonsterEnergy Prelims fueled by @superiorgrocers LIVE NOW pic.twitter.com/ld6AD1R3L4

— Bellator MMA (@BellatorMMA) June 16, 2023

Official result: Norbert Novenyi Jr. (7-0) def. Kamil Oniszczuk (9-3) via KO (Round 1, 0:46)

• (3×5): Lightweight Bout: #10-Archie Colgan (7-0) vs. Emmanuel Sanchez (20-8)

Surging prospect Archie "King" Colgan takes on former title challenger, Emmanuel "El Matador" Sanchez! Who's winning this one? 🤔

📺 Watch it LIVE on our YouTube channel ▶️ https://t.co/NxwCKFPRok
#Bellator297 | @MonsterEnergy Prelims fueled by @superiorgrocers pic.twitter.com/wFdJlDhR0l

— Bellator MMA (@BellatorMMA) June 16, 2023

📊 By The Numbers@MatadorSanchez_ is as tough as they come but there's no denying @king_colgan tonight.

📺 #Bellator297 @MonsterEnergy Prelims fueled by @superiorgrocers LIVE NOW pic.twitter.com/xOzah7YzDu

— Bellator MMA (@BellatorMMA) June 16, 2023

Official result: Archie Colgan (8-0) def. Emmanuel Sanchez (20-9) via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28 x2)

• (3×5): Light Heavyweight Bout: #5-Alex Polizzi (10-2) vs. #8-Karl Moore (11-2)

A slam takedown from @KarlMoore91! 💥

📺 #Bellator297 @MonsterEnergy Postlims fueled by @superiorgrocers LIVE NOW pic.twitter.com/sp0dxOwHeL

— Bellator MMA (@BellatorMMA) June 17, 2023

Official result: Karl Moore (12-2) def. Alex Polizzi (10-3) via unanimous decision (29-28 x3)

• (3×5): Featherweight Bout: #8-Timur Khizriev (12-0) vs. Richie Smullen (10-2-1)

📊 By The Numbers

A very active fight from both men but it's Timur Khizriev who scores the decisive victory.

📺 #Bellator297 @MonsterEnergy Postlims fueled by @superiorgrocers LIVE NOW pic.twitter.com/HPWnHZB7Yi

— Bellator MMA (@BellatorMMA) June 17, 2023

Official result: Timur Khizriev (13-0) def. Richie Smullen (10-3-1) via unanimous decision (30-27, x3)

A takedown from Jordan Newman to get this one underway!

📺 #Bellator297 @MonsterEnergy Prelims fueled by @superiorgrocers LIVE NOW pic.twitter.com/lamPrjNeqy

— Bellator MMA (@BellatorMMA) June 16, 2023

SUBMISSION! 🔥

Jordan Newman remains undefeated inside the Bellator cage following his Americana tap over @CareBearMMA.

📺 #Bellator297 @MonsterEnergy Prelims fueled by @superiorgrocers LIVE NOW pic.twitter.com/I9y6YDmmZT

— Bellator MMA (@BellatorMMA) June 16, 2023

Official result: Jordan Newman (6-0) def. Matthew Perry (5-4) via Americana submission (4:20, Round 1)

• (3×5): Middleweight Bout: Jordan Newman (5-0) vs. Matthew Perry (5-3)

• (3×5): Featherweight Bout: Cody Law (6-2) vs. Edwin Chavez (6-4)

A great combo from @codylaw_160.

📺 #Bellator297 @MonsterEnergy Prelims fueled by @superiorgrocers LIVE on the Bellator YouTube channel ▶️ https://t.co/NxwCKFPRok pic.twitter.com/Dwl292dxk5

— Bellator MMA (@BellatorMMA) June 16, 2023

Official result: Cody Law (7-2) def. Edwin Chavez (6-5) via unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27 x2)

Are you tuning into Bellator 297?