Bellator MMA President Scott Coker says former UFC contender Yoel Romero is medically cleared and should make his debut by year’s end.
Yoel Romero did not make the splash Bellator expected, but company President Scott Coker expects former Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) title challenger to debut by the end of the year.
A Bellator Light Heavyweight Grand Prix clash between Romero and Anthony Johnson was supposed to be a big-ticket card for the promotion. Unfortunately, “The Soldier of God” (13-5) failed his pre-fight medical and was pulled approximately one week out. “Rumble” (23-6) went on to beat Jose Augusto Azevedo (watch highlights) and will next fight Bellator Light Heavyweight champion Vadim Nemkov in the semi-finals.
“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 recently told MMA Junkie about Romero. “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.”
“He’s going to compete at 205,” Coker continued. “I think he said he’s willing to cut, but right now, he’s at 205.”
Nemkov vs. Johnson headlines Bellator 267, taking place at the Footprint Center in Phoenix, Arizona on Oct. 16 via Showtime. The co-main event features the other Light Heavyweight Grand Prix semi-final bout: Bellator Heavyweight champion Ryan Bader vs. Corey Anderson.
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