Bellator 297 | UFC Betting Sites - The Best MMA Online Bookies

Vadim Nemkov outlasts Yoel Romero in five-round war, earns unanimous decision – Bellator 297 Highlights

Former UFC middleweight title contender Yoel Romero stepped into the main event spotlight at Bellator 297 on Friday night, challenging Vadim Nemkov for the Bellator light heavyweight championship. Romero earned his opportunity at Bellator gold after scoring back-to-back third-round knockouts against Alex Polizzi and Melvin Manhoef last year. Standing in his way of becoming a […]

Former UFC middleweight title contender Yoel Romero stepped into the main event spotlight at Bellator 297 on Friday night, challenging Vadim Nemkov for the Bellator light heavyweight championship.

Romero earned his opportunity at Bellator gold after scoring back-to-back third-round knockouts against Alex Polizzi and Melvin Manhoef last year. Standing in his way of becoming a champion for the first time in his career is Vadim Nemkov, a 16-2 fighter who has never been dated under the Bellator banner. In fact, Nemkov has not experienced a loss in more than seven years. The protege of heavyweight legend Fedor Emelianenko looked to keep that streak alive in the Second City.

Vadim Nemkov appeared to be in control throughout the first three rounds, but Romero showed signs of life near the halfway point of the fight, landing some solid strikes that appeared to have the defending champ in danger. Unfortunately, Romero’s moments were few and far between, as Nemkov’s speed dominated the contest. Romero was able to score a takedown in the final minute of the matchup but ultimately failed to do anything with it, leaving the contest in the hands of the judges.

Official Result: Vadim Nemkov def. Yoel Romero via unanimous decision (49-46, 49-46, 49-46)

Check Out Highlights From Vadim Nemkov vs. Yoel Romero at Bellator 297 Below:

You can never count out Yoel Romero!#Bellator297 is LIVE on @Showtime! pic.twitter.com/xsnKI3CnMv

— SHOWTIME SPORTS (@SHOsports) June 17, 2023

Sergio Pettis delivers dominant performance against Patricio Pitbull to retain title – Bellator 297 Highlights

Patricio Pitbull stepped into the Bellator cage against Sergio Pettis on Friday night, looking to make history as the promotion’s first-ever three-division world champion. Emanating from Chi-Town, Bellator 297 featured two massive title tilts, the first pitting reigning featherweight titleholder Patricio Pitbull against defending bantamweight champion Sergio Pettis. Making his first appearance since a December […]

Patricio Pitbull stepped into the Bellator cage against Sergio Pettis on Friday night, looking to make history as the promotion’s first-ever three-division world champion.

Emanating from Chi-Town, Bellator 297 featured two massive title tilts, the first pitting reigning featherweight titleholder Patricio Pitbull against defending bantamweight champion Sergio Pettis. Making his first appearance since a December 2021 knockout of Kyoji Horiguchi, Pettis sought to successfully defend his title for the second time, keeping Pitbull from etching his name in the history books once again.

Things started off relatively slow in the opening round, with both fighters downloading information on one another. Getting their looks, things picked up in the second with both fighters having their moments, but the biggest came from Pettis, who threw a spinning wheel kick that landed glancingly with mere seconds left in the second. Pitbull was clearly feeling the effects as he immediately began to back up and protect himself in an effort to make it out of the round.

Pettis came out with a very noticeable wave of confidence in the third round. ‘The Phenom’ began to pick apart Pitbull, showing off his speed which was far greater than that of his opposition. Struggling to get anything going on his feet, Pitbull moved in with 30 seconds left in the third and landed a solid takedown but was unable to capitalize on it before the round came to a close.

In the championship rounds, Sergio Pettis was essentially on autopilot as Pitbull simply couldn’t muster any viable offense outside of the occasional takedown attempt. Of course, that didn’t stop Pitbull from raising his hand following the final bell, suggesting he won the fight. The judges did not agree.

Official Result: Sergio Pettis def. Patricio Pitbull via unanimous decision (49-46, 50-45, 50-45)

Check Out Highlights From Sergio Pettis vs. Patricio Pitbull at Bellator 297 Below:

Yoel Romero rules out retirement talk ahead of Bellator 297 title fight: ‘I plan on fighting until I’m 52’

Ahead of his incoming Bellator MMA light heavyweight title fight this weekend in the main event of Bellator 297, former UFC middleweight title challenger, Yoel Romero has shut down talk of a potential retirement from mixed martial arts competition, insisting that he will compete to fight into his 50’s. Romero, 46, who returns to action […]

Romero, 46, who returns to action this weekend in Chicago, Illinois, is slated to headline Bellator 297 in an undisputed light heavyweight title fight against Russian champion, Vadim Nemkov.

Taking headlining status, Romero’s first title shot under the Scott Coker-led banner, takes precedence over a bantamweight championship tilt between Sergio Pettis, and Patricio Pitbull – as the latter attempts to become a stunning three-weight world champion under the scrutiny of Bellator MMA.

In the midst of a two-fight winning run, Cuban fan-favorite, Yoel Romero most recently recorded a third round ground strikes KO win over fellow knockout artist, Melvin Manhoef in Dublin, Ireland in September of last year, following a buzzer-beating TKO win over Alex Polizzi in a co-main event clash in Paris earlier that year.

Yoel Romero rules out impending retirement from MMA ahead of Bellator 297

A veteran freestyle wrestler, Romero, an Olympic silver medalist to boot – who has been touted to consider an impending retirement from professional mixed martial arts competition, has ruled out the potential of a career curtain close this weekend – and for the foreseeable future.

“No chance, no chance,” Yoel Romero said in Spanish when discussing a potential retirement during a recent interview with MMA Junkie. “No chance, no chance at all. That doesn’t event go through my mind. I’ve got five more years in this sport. That’s what I think of. I plan on fighting until I’m 52. That’s my focus.”

Boasting a 15-6 professional record, over the course of his professional career, Romero holds notable triumphs over the likes of Derek Brunson, Brad Tavares, Tim Kennedy, Lyoto Machida, Jacare Souza, Chris Weidman, Luke Rockhold, and the aforenoted, Manhoef.

Video – Yoel Romero misses Bellator 297 press conference due to fear of heights, faces off through video link

Ahead of his undisputed light heavyweight title challenge against Russian champion, Vadim Nemkov this weekend atop a Bellator 297 card in Chicago, Illinois – division title chaser, Yoel Romero missed this week’s press conference – appearing via video-link from his hotel room bed, to his revealed fear of heights. Romero, a fan-favorite light heavyweight contender, […]

Romero, a fan-favorite light heavyweight contender, is slated to headline UFC 297 this weekend in Chicago taking on Nemkov – ahead of an undisputed bantamweight title fight clash with current gold holder, Sergio Pettis, and three-division title hopeful, Patricio Pitbull.

In the midst of a two-fight winning run ahead of his championship challenge against Nemkov, Romero got off the mark under the Bellator MMA banner against Alex Polizzi at Bellator Paris with a spectacular third round TKO win.

Returning in the co-main event of Bellator Dublin in September of last year at the 3Arena, Romero turned in another dominant win, eventually finishing veteran Dutch kickboxer, Melvin Manhoef with a slew of ground strikes in the capital.

Yoel Romero challenges for Bellator gold this weekend

Appearing via video link at yesterday’s Bellator 297 press conference, Romero was touted as have met his kryptonite, in the form of his revealed fear of heights.

“He (Yoel Romero) apologizes to everybody, but getting inside that building is a fight that he knows he’s not going to win,” Chael Sonnen told assembled media. “Everybody’s got a kryptonite – now we know what Yoel’s is.”

Touching on his fear, Cuban Olympic silver medalist, Romero explained that even with the help of his beloved kids, he would not even consider making his way onto a Ferris wheel.

“Not even with my kids would I be able to go up on a Ferris wheel,” Yoel Romero explained.

Unable to staredown with Nemkov in-person due to his absence, Romero – who remained on a screen to the side of the platform, eventually faced-off with the Russian champion, albeit virtually.