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LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – MARCH 07: Yoel Romero of Cuba prepares to fight Israel Adesanya of Nigeria in their UFC middleweight championship fight during the UFC 248 event at T-Mobile Arena on March 07, 2020 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC)
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LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – MARCH 07: Yoel Romero of Cuba prepares to fight Israel Adesanya of Nigeria in their UFC middleweight championship fight during the UFC 248 event at T-Mobile Arena on March 07, 2020 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC)
The long-awaited debut of Former UFC middleweight title contender Yoel Romero for Bellator MMA has finally got a date as per ace reporter Ariel Helwani. The ‘Soldier of God’ will make his way to the ring against former Bellator light heavyweight champ Phil Davis on September 18.
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The former UFC star was scheduled to compete in the light heavyweight grand Prix back in May against Anthony Johnson. But he was not medically cleared and, hence, had to wait a bit more to make his debut.
Davis, who himself made a switch from UFC six years back, has been an elite performer under the Bellator banner. The former champion lost to Vadim Nemkov, the current champion, in the opening round of the Grand Prix at UFC 257.
The loss also snapped a three-fight win streak for Davis. He has featured in 12 matches for Bellator and has won 9 of those while coming second in 3 fights.
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Meanwhile, Romero’s release from UFC came as a shocker for fight fans. He last fought against Israel Adesanya for the UFC middleweight title back in March 2020. Romero could have fought Uriah Hall later, but he pulled out from that match.
Yoel Romero and his recent career stats
Romero (13-5) made his debut for UFC back in 2013. He raced to an 8 fight win streak before facing a halt in the form of Robert Whittaker.
His recent fight stats won’t give him much confidence going into his fight against Davis. The 44-year-old has lost his last 3 fights, including the championship fight against Adesanya.
Prior to the Adesanya fight, he featured in one of the greatest 3 round fights in UFC history against Paulo Costa. The then-undefeated Brazilian defeated Romero in a unanimous decision at UFC 241.
Prior to that, he had lost a rematch against Robert Whittaker at UFC 225. The match was a close affair and Whittaker narrowly edged ahead in a split decision win. He last picked up a victory against former middleweight champion Luke Rockhold in 2018.
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At the advanced age of 44, the Cuban is still showing no signs of slowing down. He will be eager to show his worth as he steps up for the new promotion.
Who do you see prevailing in the end?
