This weekend is packed with mixed martial arts with Bellator MMA live from San Jose, Calif. Tonight with an intriguing main event offering.
THE DAY OF FIGHT IS HERE! 👊
Here is how to watch # Bellator266 LIVE tonight.?? @ Monster energy Foreplay powered by @morning afternoon LIVE on the Bellator YouTube channel, @Show time Sports YouTube channel and @PlutoTV at 7 p.m. ET / 4 p.m. PT. pic.twitter.com/9bLl9VKMqU
– BellatorMMA (@BellatorMMA) September 18, 2021
A pair of elite mixed martial artists will meet in the main event of the BELLATOR MMA 266 tonight. Inside the SAP Center in San Jose, former 205-pound champion and No. 3 ranked light heavyweight Phil Davis (22-6, 6 KOs) welcomes MMA star Yoel “Soldier of God” Romero ( 13-5, 11 KOs) at the Bellator MMA Promotion.
The fight airs on Showtime.
Cuban Olympian Cometh
Romero has spent the past seven years and 13 fights with the UFC. However, after a losing skid of three fights, the Cuban Olympian is now with Bellator.
All eyes on San José 👀🔥@YoelRomeroMMA makes his long-awaited Bellator debut against the former champion @PhilMrWonderful Live of @SHOSports, Saturdays at 10 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. PT. # Bellator266 pic.twitter.com/TL9fiQYD44
– BellatorMMA (@BellatorMMA) September 17, 2021
Fighting in Miami, Romero will make his highly anticipated Bellator debut against another former UFC product in Phil “Mr. Wonderful” Davis.
Romero is from the famous American Top Team Gymnasium in Coconut Creek, Florida. He became one of the most wanted free agents, but eventually signed with Bellator in December 2020.
“The fans are going to be able to see my growth in mixed martial arts and that I’m still in great physical shape,” Romero said. “My experience so far with Bellator has been nothing short of fantastic and I can’t wait to be part of this next game.”
The we have all been waiting for@PhilMrWonderful and @YoelRomeroMMA collide at the @SAP Center in an ESSENTIAL fight tomorrow night!# Bellator266 | @SHOsports | Saturday, 10 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. PT pic.twitter.com/p3NHfvvJUX
– BellatorMMA (@BellatorMMA) September 17, 2021
Romero fought at middleweight for the UFC and was unable to make weight for the title twice. The shift to light heavyweights is more conducive to a title without scale issues.
“I feel good because I didn’t have to lose weight. I just kept my own weight. I just changed divisions and kept my own weight. And I always trained with heavy weights and light heavy weights in my training camp. I am completely adapted to heavier weights.
Romero possesses knockout power, with 11 of his 13 career knockout wins; four went to the first round. Romero is also a highly decorated wrestler. Three-time world champion in freestyle wrestling in the World Cup, five-time Pan American champion in freestyle wrestling and silver medalist in freestyle at the 2000 Olympic Games.
The wonderful wrestler
However, he faces off against Phil Davis, a native of Harrisburg, Pa., In search of his 10th Bellator victory. Former Bellator light heavyweight world champion Davis is looking to make another run for the strap. Davis was on a winning run, taking victory in three of his last four fights.
Ahead of # Bellator266, here are 5️⃣ Things You Didn’t Know About Former World Champion Bellator @PhilMrWonderful!
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– BellatorMMA (@BellatorMMA) September 18, 2021
Therefore, he met Vadim Nemkov at Bellator 257 in April and lost a unanimous decision. The “L” took him out of the Bellator Light World Heavyweight Grand Prix.
But Davis was a four-time American NCAA Division I wrestler at Penn State University. Not many people can cope once he takes them to the ground, which makes the game against Romero interesting.
“I think the size advantage isn’t necessarily the only factor in the fight,” said Davis. “I think he faced some lanky guys. In terms of weight, I think he’s probably one of the guys who maybe adjusted to the weight better than most guys.
“He had a long layoff, the opportunity to move up in the weight class. I honestly think the difference will be just a style match.
Styles make fights, and it’s a battle of two elite wrestlers.
“He and I are both really good at understanding another guy’s tempo and footwork and angles,” Davis said.
“I think there’s going to be a feeling process where we both try to see where the other person is in space and see what kinds of angles and feints and forgeries were using. After I think it’s July 4th. Fireworks!”
