Tonight, the main event saw Light Heavyweight Champion Vadim Nemkov take on Yoel Romero at Bellator 297 at Wintrust Arena in Chicago, Illinois. After a delay to start the Bellator 297 introductory segment, the card went off with five fights in just over an hour. , as well as the highly anticipated 3 main tag fights to get to the main event.
Nemkov entered the contest 8-0 in Bellator by triple KO/TKO, with his final win coming against Corey Anderson back in November, which also happened in Chicago.
Yoel Romero also has experience fighting in Chicago, where he famously lost a closely contested bout to Robert Whitaker at UFC 225 in June 2018. Since joining the promotion In 2021, Romero has had his ups and downs, but he’s taken care of business in his last two outings, stopping Alex Polizzi in his last outing.
Romero has been a middleweight and light heavyweight lately but has stayed consistent with his 205-pound frame at Bellator. Romero, 46, was looking to rewrite a mistake while competing in MMA promotion No. 2 and win his first undisputed major title at Bellator 297.
Meanwhile, Vadim Nemkov was the betting favorite at 16-2 overall while Yoel Romero entered the title fight at 15-6, looking to secure the upset.
Bellator 297’s main card premiered on Showtime at 9pm EST / 6pm PT.
Tonight’s fight between Nemkov and Romero resulted in another strong performance from the light heavyweight champion Bellator. Vadim seemed to outsprint Yoel for the first twenty-four minutes of their five-round fight, and that was before giving up a late takedown and eating some ground and pound. Despite a difficult last minute, Nemkov put in a dominant display and improved to 9-0 under the promotion pennant.
Official result: Vadim Nemkov defeated. Yoel Romero by unanimous decision (49-46 x 3)
Find out what the pros think about the fight below:
Vadim Nemkov brings the fight to Yoel Romero early 🔥 # Bellator 297
– bjpenndotcom (bjpenndotcom) June 17, 2023
Vadim Nemkov lets his hands go 🔥 # Bellator 297 #MMA
– bjpenndotcom (bjpenndotcom) June 17, 2023
Yoel Romero hurts Vadim Nemkov in the third round 🔥 # Bellator 297 pic.twitter.com/2DloipPM6h
– bjpenndotcom (bjpenndotcom) June 17, 2023
Brahhh hahah Yoel comes out drunk salsa dancer style. Love her !
– Chris Weidman (@chrisweidman) June 17, 2023
Yoel was smooth with that drunken fist another really legend
– Terrance McKinney (@twracks155) June 17, 2023
46-year-old Yoel Romero is still a problem 💪🏼 # Bellator 297
– bjpenndotcom (bjpenndotcom) June 17, 2023
#and still | Vadim Nemkov excels! 👊
World lightweight champion Bellator wins by unanimous decision @tweet Here in Chicago. # Bellator 297 | #BlackTear | @tweet pic.twitter.com/br945T1qWN
– Bellator MMA (BellatorMMA) June 17, 2023
And still!!!! # Bellator 297 pic.twitter.com/30oYSACiww
– Scott Coker June 17, 2023
What is your reaction to Vadim Nemkov’s victory over Yoel Romero at the Bellator 297 event tonight?