Yoel Romero hasn’t forgotten what happened the last time he fought in Chicago.
Blast From The Past
Flashback to June 2018, the former UFC title challenger had a shot at UFC Middleweight gold (that he wasn’t eligible to win because he missed weight) against Robert Whittaker. While many believe Romero did enough over the distance, Whittaker was awarded the split decision victory instead.
Years later, Romero is now a part of the Bellator roster, where he finds himself in Chicago once again fighting for a world title. ‘The Soldier Of God’ will look to right his wrongs in ‘The Windy City’ when he takes on light heavyweight champion Vadim Nemkov in the Bellator 297 headliner.
“Sometimes it’s almost impossible to forget memories, But some occasions it’s good to have memory. One of the things that motivate me when I train is to come back and fight in Chicago,” Romero said in Spanish at Bellator 297 media day.
“Years ago, I was the [uncrowned] champion of another promotion [UFC]. And everybody knows what happened in that fight [against Robert Whittaker at UFC 225].”
‘I Will Have Another Story To Tell’
Romero doesn’t want to make the same mistake against Nemkov. He wants to make it undeniable that he’s the victor this time around.
“Once more, I’m back in Chicago and this time I will make sure they don’t rob me of my victory. For the day I tell my children, I will have another story to tell, another memory in my mind.”
Romero On Bellator Title, Vadim Nemkov
While the 46 year-old Cuban powerhouse isn’t getting any younger, Romero believes that a win here over the very dangerous Vadim Nemkov will help rejuvenate his career.
“To be the champion of Bellator would give me a new beginning to my career,” Romero continued. “But, I’m not focused on the title in this moment. The most important thing is to win the fight.”
“[Vadim] Nemkov is an exceptional athlete but I don’t think he is above or below the level of fighters I’ve fought before.”
