Set as the biggest fight of his career at the time, as he prepared to take on UFC Middleweight Champion Robert Whitaker at UFC 225, outside variables changed everything for Yoel Romero. To start, things didn’t go according to Romero’s plan, as he lost weight at his starting weight, but was given extra time to cut down the remaining weight, until it was no longer. During his allotted time window, Romero was pulled from his chops and He blamed the Illinois State Commission For him it does not make the championship weight, which disqualified him from winning UFC gold.
On fight night, Yoel Romero had a very close fight against Whittaker but ultimately fell short, being on the wrong end of a split decision loss against the defending champion. It was a fight in which many argued Romero could have been named the winner, although it wasn’t for nothing, since he would not be eligible to win the title due to a total weight loss of 0.2 lbs.
A little over five years later, Romero finds himself at home with a new promotion, Bellator MMA, fighting in a new weight class, light heavyweight, and at Bellator 297, another shot at gold and a shot at payback. Speaking to MyMMANews and other members of the media at Bellator 297 Media Day, “Soldier of God” talked about getting another chance to fight for a title in Chicago, and said he plans to have a different story to tell his kids this time around.
Sometimes it is impossible not to have a memory. But on some occasions it is nice to have it. This time I was training, I was supposed to come back and fight here. Years ago, I was a champion in another company and everyone knows what happens in that fight. This time, I will make sure that it is not the same as last time. So, I have a different story to tell my kids.”
That same story will be written on Friday, June 16 at Bellator 297’s main event when Yoel Romero takes on champ Vadim Nemkov for the light heavyweight title. The legendary fighter would enter the fray on a winning streak, both of which came via devastating knockouts, and this time, he plans to keep the commission out.
Mike Pendleton is a current contributor to MyMMANews while also hosting the “On The Mic” podcast and is a former co-producer of Sirius XM’s Fight Nation.
With a particular passion for interviewing and talking to the best people about the fighting game, you can read or listen to Mike’s work across his many outlets.
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