Yoel Romero made his long-awaited first walk to the Bellator cage Saturday, but it was spoiled by former light heavyweight champion Phil Davis.
They were part of the the Bellator 266 main event at SAP Center.
Davis defeated Romero by split decision with scores of 30-27, 28-29, 30-26, but it wasn’t that close.
The first round was largely a staring contest, though big near-lands from Romero got thousands of oohs and ahhs out of those in attendance. “The Soldier of God” stood largely stationary while Davis tried to move in and out with striking.
Early in Round 2, Romero found his marks a handful of hard punches – and a brutal leg kick that Davis limped off. Shortly thereafter, Davis returned a hard punch of his own, which Romero acknowledged immediately thereafter with an exaggerated facial expression. As the seconds wound down in the round, Davis shot – and secured – the first takedown of the fight.
📊 By The Numbers
A vintage performance from the former world champion @PhilMrWonderful, who scores the split decision over @YoelRomeroMMA on @SHOsports. #Bellator266 pic.twitter.com/W1aWMWbKQz
— BellatorMMA (@BellatorMMA) September 19, 2021
A sizzling Romero strike just missed Davis early in the final round. Davis resorted back to his bread and butter with another takedown attempt, which he secured after a lengthy struggle of strength. Davis would control Romero until the final buzzer and would be named the victor shortly thereafter.
With the victory, Davis reenters the win column after an April title challenge defeat to champion Vadim Nemkov at Bellator 257. Over the span of his most recent five fights, Davis has gone 4-1 with his other wins coming against Lyoto Machida, Karl Albrektsson, and Liam McGeary.
Romero, 44, has now lost four in a row and five of his past six outings. His last victory came in December 2018 when he knocked out Luke Rockhold. Saturday’s fight was his first at 205 pounds since his lone Strikeforce appearance, which took place in September 2011.
Full Bellator 266 results:
Phil Davis def. Yoel Romero via split decision (30-27, 28-29, 30-26)
Neiman Gracie def. Mark Lemminger via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 1:27
DeAnna Bennett def. Alejandra Lara via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-26, 30-26)
Saul Rogers def. Georgi Karakhanyan via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-26, 30-26)
Ben Parrish def. Christian Edwards via knockout (punches) – Round 1, 0:38
Alex Polizzi def. Grant Neal via split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)
Anthony Adams def. Khalid Murtazaliev via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Bobby Seronio III def. Socrates Hernandez via unanimous decision (29-27, 29-26, 29-26)
Abraham Vaesauvia def. Albert Gonzales via knockout (punches) – Round 1, 2:17
Shane Keefe def. Rhalan Gracie via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Edwin De Los Santos def. Jon Adams via TKO (strikes) – Round 1, 3:29
Jesse Delgado def. Joshua Dillon via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
