CHICAGO – Vadim Nemkov showed 46-year-old Yoel Romero had no place challenging for his title with a dominant effort in the Bellator 297 main event.
Nemkov (16-2 MMA, 9-0 BMMA) delivered a five-round display of striking excellence against the former UFC title challenger Romero (15-7 MMA, 2-2 BMMA), who had almost nothing to offer over the course of five rounds at Wintrust Arena. In the end, the Russian champion was awarded a lopsided unanimous decision by scores of 49-46, 49-46 and 49-46.
Nemkov started the fight strong, coming up with a high volume attacking consisting of punch and kick combinations. The pressure put Romero into a defensive shell, where he remained for essentially the entirety of the round as Nemkov racked up points.
The champ Vadim Nemkov landing shots early on!#Bellator297 | LIVE NOW | @SHOsports 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/Wb4CeDOPbR
— Bellator MMA (@BellatorMMA) June 17, 2023
The champion kept the pressure up into the second round. Nemkov kept Romero guessing with his striking attacks, and Romero barely threw anything back, as he was outstruck at a nearly 8-to-1 rate through 10 minutes.
Nemkov was fully in rhythm going into the third round, where Romero is known to be at his most dangerous. The beatdown only got more ferocious, though, as Nemkov unleashed beautiful punching and kicking attacks that forced Romero to the point of trying to play rope-a-dope to get back in it. However, Nemkov wasn’t having any of it.
Vadim Nemkov unleashing shots on @YoelRomeroMMA! 😳#Bellator297 | LIVE NOW | @SHOsports 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/B4sAZwafcb
— Bellator MMA (@BellatorMMA) June 17, 2023
As the fight hit the championship rounds, Nemkov was firmly in control of the action. He battered Romero for nearly the whole fourth round, but “The Soldier of God” did show a few signs in life in springing forward with his signature lunging attacks – including a clean Superman punch – but Nemkov absorbed it all without issue.
It was more of the same from Nemkov in the final round, as he picked Romero apart and avoided taking a desperation shot from the Cuban on the feet. Romero got a late takedown, but he couldn’t threat with a finish and Nemkov was able to coast to the final bell and keep his title reign in tact.
#Bellator297 results: Vadim Nemkov def. Yoel Romero via unanimous decision (49-46, 49-46, 49-46) – to defend light heavyweight title
Full coverage: https://t.co/n0lDxlfZ3A pic.twitter.com/BJxUSpZlsb
— MMA Junkie (@MMAJunkie) June 17, 2023
With the win, Nemkov continues his run of success under the Bellator banner, becomes the fourth fighter in company history to go undefeated in their first 10 fights with the promotion. A.J. McKee, Michael Page and Ilima-Lei Macfarlane were the others.
The up-to-the-minute Bellator 297 results include:
- Vadim Nemkov def. Yoel Romero via unanimous decision (49-46, 49-46, 49-46) – to defend light heavyweight title
- Sergio Pettis def. Patricio Freire via unanimous decision (49-46, 50-45, 50-45)
- Corey Anderson def. Phil Davis via split decision (28-29, 29-28, 28-29)
- Gokhan Saricam def. Daniel James via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
- Gadzhi Rabadanov def. Pieter Buist via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
- Ramazan Kuramagomedov def. Jaleel Willis via knockout (knee and punches) – Round 1, 1:24
- Norbert Novenyi Jr. def. Kamil Oniszczuk via knockout (punches) – Round 1, 0:46
- Archie Colgan def. Emmanuel Sanchez via unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)
- Jordan Newman def. Matthew Perry via submission (Americana) – Round 1, 4:20
- Cody Law def. Edwin Chavez via unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for Bellator 297.
