MMA middleweight star Yoel Romero has been cut from the UFC. This came as a surprise to many fans as the “Soldier of God” had three fights left on his contract. Romero last competed on March 7th, 2020 for the UFC Middleweight Championship. He lost the fight via unanimous decision to Israel Adesanya.
With Romero’s UFC exit, one can only imagine where the 43-year old fighter will land.
Top (Potential) Fights for Yoel Romero in Bellator
Austin Vanderford (10-0, 4-0 Bellator)
Austin Vanderford is one of Bellator’s hottest prospects. Vanderford is coming off of a dominant win over Vinicius De Jesus. If Romero were to land in Bellator, this fight would surely happen. Vanderford, arguably, is a top-contender in the 185-lb. division. If Romero could snub “The Gentelman” of an eleventh straight victory, the Brazilian would put himself in the front of the line for a middleweight title shot.
Lyoto Machida (26-10, 2-2 Bellator)
If anyone should want a fight with Yoel Romero in Bellator, it’s Lyoto Machida. In 2015, the pair of middleweights squared off in a five round main event clash. Unfortunately for “The Dragon”, the fight came to an abrupt end when Romero was able to land a series of viscous elbow strikes in the third round. Certainly, a rematch would draw an audience and would provide a nice main event matchup for Scott Coker and company.
Gegard Mousasi (47-7-2, 5-1 Bellator)
Bellator Middleweight Champion Gegard Mousasi is coming off of an impressive victory over the always dangerous, Douglas Lima. Mousasi earned the vacant 185-lb. crown by outworking Lima in a five round main event clash. If Romero were to sign with Bellator, he could have a similar entrance to that of Cris Cyborg, and receive an immediate title shot. This debut worked out well for Cyborg, as she defeated Julia Budd for the Women’s Bantamweight Championship.
Only Time Will Tell.
No one knows where Yoel Romero is headed except for Yoel Romero. Where would you like to see the middleweight star land?
*Note* Yoel Romero has not signed with Bellator. The fights mentioned above are purely speculative based upon the potential of his signing.
