Tag: Yoel Romero

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 Channels Inner Bernard Hopkins, Wants To Fight Into His 50s

Yoel Romero won’t be slowing down anytime soon. Romero is a member of the Bellator roster. He’ll be making his promotional debut on Sept. 18 against former Bellator Light Heavyweight Champion Phil Davis. This will be Romero’s first bout since a failed bid at the UFC Middleweight Championship against Israel Adesanya back in March 2020. […]

Continue Reading Yoel Romero Channels Inner Bernard Hopkins, Wants To Fight Into His 50s at MMA News.

Yoel Romero won’t be slowing down anytime soon.

Romero is a member of the Bellator roster. He’ll be making his promotional debut on Sept. 18 against former Bellator Light Heavyweight Champion Phil Davis. This will be Romero’s first bout since a failed bid at the UFC Middleweight Championship against Israel Adesanya back in March 2020.

“The Soldier of God” and the UFC ended up parting ways in late 2020. During an interview with Tom Taylor of Bleacher Report, Romero said he was never worried about finding a new promotion to call home.

“When you do something very, very well and you really dedicate yourself to it, you’ll be sought-after. To be honest, I don’t think I did anything wrong in the UFC. I knew I was going to find work. I knew my work and my talent would be in demand, and Bellator became home.

“I felt happy. It was almost as if God was saying ‘don’t worry, you’re in my arms.’”

Yoel Romero is 44 years but to him, that fact doesn’t hinder his ability to compete. He actually wants to fight longer than Bernard Hopkins did.

“I would like to surpass Bernard Hopkins.”

Hopkins is a renowned retired boxer who had his final pro bout at 52 years old. Hopkins has the distinction of becoming the oldest world champion in boxing history. In fact, he broke his own record.

Romero has yet to capture a world title in MMA. He hopes that changes with his Bellator run and his journey starts with Davis in the main event of Bellator 266.

Continue Reading Yoel Romero Channels Inner Bernard Hopkins, Wants To Fight Into His 50s at MMA News.

Yoel Romero Opens Up on Leaving UFC and New Lease on Life in Bellator

When 13-fight UFC veteran Yoel Romero learned that his time with the promotion was over, he did what he always does in times of strife: He trusted that it was all part of God’s plan…

When 13-fight UFC veteran Yoel Romero learned that his time with the promotion was over, he did what he always does in times of strife: He trusted that it was all part of God’s plan…

Yoel Romero Was In Talks To Fight Jake Paul Before Signing For Bellator

Yoel RomeroYoel Romero has revealed that he was in serious talks for a fight with Jake Paul before the YouTuber backed out and he signed a multi-fight deal with Bellator. During a recent appearance on The MMA Hour, Romero claimed that he was offered a fight with Paul before the internet celebrity opted to face Ben […]

Yoel Romero

Yoel Romero has revealed that he was in serious talks for a fight with Jake Paul before the YouTuber backed out and he signed a multi-fight deal with Bellator.

During a recent appearance on The MMA Hour, Romero claimed that he was offered a fight with Paul before the internet celebrity opted to face Ben Askren instead.

“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.

Romero believes the fact Paul chose to fight Askren instead of him proves the 24-year-old is not interested in facing true tests inside the squared circle.

“They don’t want to face a real fighter,” Romero said via his translator. “(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.” (Transcribed by MMA News)

The Cuban fighter was supposed to square off against Anthony Johnson in his Bellator debut earlier this year before a failed medical scuppered those plans. Romero will finally make his promotional bow when he takes on the former light-heavyweight champion, Phil Davis, at Bellator 266 on September 18.

Do you think Jake Paul was smart to avoid fighting Yoel Romero?

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.