Tag: bellator 266

Scott Coker: Yoel Romero Will Be Back After Bellator Debut Defeat

RomeroBellator MMA president Scott Coker still believes Yoel Romero has plenty of offer. Romero made his promotional debut last night at Bellator 266 when he took on Phil Davis in the event’s light heavyweight headliner. Despite a closely-contested first round, Romero would comfortably lose the next two rounds as Davis earned the split decision verdict. […]

Romero

Bellator MMA president Scott Coker still believes Yoel Romero has plenty of offer.

Romero made his promotional debut last night at Bellator 266 when he took on Phil Davis in the event’s light heavyweight headliner.

Despite a closely-contested first round, Romero would comfortably lose the next two rounds as Davis earned the split decision verdict. It makes it four defeats in a row for Romero with many observers believing he is now well past it.

However, Coker believes it was just a case of Davis showing that he’s one of the best fighters in the sport and that Romero will undoubtedly be back soon.

“I think that Phil is an amazing fighter, as we all know, and he just delivered another solid performance,” Coker said at the post-fight news conference (via MMA Junkie). “He fought smart. Yoel is still dangerous. If he hits you, it’s over. I think Phil probably felt that power early on, so he tried to stick and move a little bit. He took him down a couple times. I loved the fight. I thought that it was a great fight. I’m telling you, Yoel will be back. This is, to me, his comeback fight. It’s been how long since he fought? We give him another fight, and he’ll be really, really ready for the next one.

“… Anybody that can do what he does. Again, give this guy another camp and another big fight, I think he’s going to come in and start throwing bombs on people. He’s a dangerous individual. You guys saw it. One punch, and it’s going to be over. He’s that guy.”

While it was also Romero’s first fight at 205 pounds in a long time, Coker would like for him to remain in the weight class. However, there are middleweight options for the “Soldier of God” as well.

“I’m going to talk to him, because I’d love for him to maybe fight and maybe stay at 205,” Coker added. “Gegard (Mousasi) is going to be busy beginning of next year fighting Austin (Vanderford). If that division opens up, and he wants to go down and fight the winner of that fight, we’d love to do that, too.

“We have a lot of exciting options for Romero, and I’m excited to put them all together.”

What do you think should be next for Romero?

Phil Davis Outworks Yoel Romero – Bellator 266 Highlights

Davis RomeroPhil Davis made sure Yoel Romero didn’t get his Bellator career off to a winning start. The pair collide in a light heavyweight headliner at Bellator 266 on Saturday night. After a close first round in which Davis just about edged it, the former Bellator champion started taking control in the second round by landing […]

Davis Romero

Phil Davis made sure Yoel Romero didn’t get his Bellator career off to a winning start.

The pair collide in a light heavyweight headliner at Bellator 266 on Saturday night. After a close first round in which Davis just about edged it, the former Bellator champion started taking control in the second round by landing big shots and securing a takedown late on.

It was the third round that was the most decisive for Davis as he landed multiple takedowns on Romero and controlled him for majority of the round.

Surprisingly, it was a split decision but there was no robbery as two of three judges scored it to Davis.

Check out the highlights below:

Yoel Romero Claims He Was In Serious Negotiations For Jake Paul Fight

According to former UFC title challenger Yoel Romero, he was in line to fight Jake Paul before Ben Askren but implies the YouTuber turned boxer canceled the potential showdown. Widespread shock ran through the MMA community when many were surprised to find out that “The Soldier Of God” was released from the UFC. Even though […]

Continue Reading Yoel Romero Claims He Was In Serious Negotiations For Jake Paul Fight at MMA News.

According to former UFC title challenger Yoel Romero, he was in line to fight Jake Paul before Ben Askren but implies the YouTuber turned boxer canceled the potential showdown.

Widespread shock ran through the MMA community when many were surprised to find out that “The Soldier Of God” was released from the UFC. Even though the chiseled 44-year old was on a losing streak, many claim it was only due to him fighting the very best in the world. Nevertheless, Romero moved on and joined Bellator. While the Brazilian was set for a fiery debut against fellow knockout artist Anthony Johnson, tragedy struck and an injury forced Romero out of the highly anticipated debut.

In a recent interview with Ariel Helwani on The MMA Hour, it was revealed by Romero that he was offered to fight Jake Paul prior to Ben Askren signing the dotted line but the plans caught a snag.

“What happened was, initially Jake Paul wanted to do a fight with Yoel, but then when Yoel wanted to do it, the Paul team canceled the fight,” Romero’s translator said.

“Initially they wanted to do the fight with Yoel. That was when he was just getting out of the UFC, he had not signed with Bellator yet, and they said eventually no they don’t want Yoel… They decided to go with Ben Askren.” Romero’s translator explained to Helwani.

According to Romero and his translator, the fight with Paul was somewhat close to materializing. Even so, the Paul team decided to move on from “The Soldier Of God” and target Askren instead. The Brazilian known for his explosive striking believes the Paul brothers have very little desire to actually get into the ring with a seasoned fighter.

“They don’t want to face a real fighter. (The Paul brothers) are just trying to make it a show and they don’t want to ruin their show. They’re finding the easy fights. Even though (Logan) fought Mayweather, but the thing is, there’s a huge weight difference,” Romero said, through his translator.

Romero is adamant that the Paul brothers are more concerned with the brilliance of a show than the actual fight. In the midst of all the negotiating, Romero was just departing from the UFC where he fought his contract out after spending seven years with the company.

Yoel Romero will finally make his explosive Bellator debut in the main event this Saturday on Sept. 18 at Bellator 266. The 44-year old light heavyweight will be matched with a fellow ex-UFC fighter in Phil “Mr. Wonderful” Davis.

Who do you see winning in a fight between Yoel Romero and Jake Paul?

Continue Reading Yoel Romero Claims He Was In Serious Negotiations For Jake Paul Fight at MMA News.

Bellator 266 Results/Main Event Highlights: Davis Outworks Romero

Bellator 266 aired tonight, Saturday, September 18 from the SAP Center in San Jose, California. Usually, when Bellator shifts from Friday to a Saturday card, it’s for a good reason. This time, it was for the light-heavyweight main event featuring the debut of Yoel Romero in Bellator MMA. Romero looked to break into the light-heavyweight […]

Continue Reading Bellator 266 Results/Main Event Highlights: Davis Outworks Romero at MMA News.

Bellator 266 aired tonight, Saturday, September 18 from the SAP Center in San Jose, California. Usually, when Bellator shifts from Friday to a Saturday card, it’s for a good reason. This time, it was for the light-heavyweight main event featuring the debut of Yoel Romero in Bellator MMA. Romero looked to break into the light-heavyweight rankings against former Bellator champion and #3-ranked Phil Davis.

Romero was scheduled to be in the light-heavyweight Grand Prix against Anthony “Rumble” Johnson but had to be removed from the tournament. It was a highly anticipated match that fans were really looking forward to, but better late than never. His opponent, Davis, was in the same tournament and lost a decision to current light-heavyweight champion, Vadim Nemkov at Bellator 257.

Check out the highlights from the main event below!

Phil Davis def. Yoel Romero via Split Decision

Bellator 266 Quick Results

BELLATOR MMA 266: Davis vs. Romero Main Card: Saturday, September 18 – live on SHOWTIME 10 p.m. ET/ 7 p.m. PT

Phil Davis def. Yoel Romero via split decision (30-27, 28-29, 30-26)

Neiman Gracie def. Mark Lemminger via TKO (punches) – R1, 1:27

DeAnna Bennett def. Alejandra Lara via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-26×2)

Saul Rogers def. Georgi Karakhanyan via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-26×2)

Ben Parrish def. Christian Edwards via knockout (punches) – R1, 0:38

Preliminary Card: BELLATOR MMA YouTube Channel | SHOWTIME Sports YouTube Channel | Pluto TV 7 p.m. ET/ 4 p.m. PT

Alex Polizzi def. Grant Neal via split decision (28-29, 29-28×2)

Anthony Adams def. Khalid Murtazaliev via unanimous decision (29-28×3)

Bobby Seronio III def. Socrates Hernandez via unanimous decision (29-27, 29-26×2)

Abraham Vaesauvia def. Albert Gonzales via knockout (punches) – R1, 2:17

Shane Keefe def. Rhalan Gracie via unanimous decision (29-28×3)

Edwin De Los Santos def. Jon Adams via TKO (strikes) – R1, 3:29

Jesse Delgado def. Joshua Dillon via unanimous decision (30-27×3)

Continue Reading Bellator 266 Results/Main Event Highlights: Davis Outworks Romero at MMA News.

Yoel Romero Booked for Bellator Debut against Phil Davis at Bellator 266

Yoel Romero Phil DavisFormer UFC middleweight contender Yoel Romero is finally getting a shot in the Bellator cage, booked to face Phil Davis at Bellator 266, as first reported by MMA journalist Ariel Helwani. Romero was medically cleared yesterday by Bellator and president Scott Coker and the promotion wasted no time in getting him a fight date and […]

Yoel Romero Phil Davis

Former UFC middleweight contender Yoel Romero is finally getting a shot in the Bellator cage, booked to face Phil Davis at Bellator 266, as first reported by MMA journalist Ariel Helwani.

Romero was medically cleared yesterday by Bellator and president Scott Coker and the promotion wasted no time in getting him a fight date and an opponent. Romero was originally slated to compete against Anthony “Rumble” Johnson in the Bellator Light Heavyweight World Grand Prix before he had to pull out due to health concerns.

The Romero vs. Davis matchup features a pair of former UFC standouts, with Romero having recently fought for the title against Israel Adesanya in his last appearance and Davis losing a unanimous decision to light heavyweight champion Vadim Nemkov at Bellator 257. Before the loss to Nemkov, Davis had won three straight fights and looks to get back on track against Bellator newcomer Romero.

Romero and Davis will be the main event at Bellator 266 as the top light heavyweight contenders compete in the grand prix semifinals. Johnson will face Nemkov, while former UFC light heavyweight Corey Anderson will face heavyweight champion, Ryan Bader. The winner of Romero vs. Davis has the opportunity to move closer to a No. 1 contender spot against the winner of the grand prix.

The bout also features a battle of two elite wrestlers. Romero represented his native Cuba with a silver medal performance in the 2000 Summer Olympics in freestyle wrestling, while Davis has dominated on the ground since his days competing at Penn State on the NCAA level.

Romero is looking for his first win in MMA since knocking out Luke Rockhold at UFC 221 for the interim middleweight title. A win over a tough opponent like Davis would mark Romero’s arrival to Bellator in style, and prove that he still has what it takes to fight against the best of the best in the light heavyweight division.

What’s your early prediction for Yoel Romero vs. Phil Davis?