We got some unexpected – yet also expected? – breaking news Monday when it was revealed that Yoel Romero would be signing with Bellator 10 days after he was released by the UFC.
The news was expected because, well, even at 43, Romero remains an absolute beast of a human being who would bolster Bellator’s roster, so it made total sense. But it was also unexpected in that, just last week, Bellator president Scott Coker explained to MMA Junkie’s Nolan King why the promotion was taking a pass – initially.
The key word was “initially” as Coker did acknowledge that dialogue would remain open with Romero’s agents at First Round Management. And, well, he must’ve came to his senses about the slough of intriguing matchup possibilities with Romero aboard.
None, however, is bigger or has MMA Twitter salivating quite as much as Romero fighting hard-hitting knockout artist Anthony Johnson, whom Bellator signed just last week after he also parted ways with the UFC.
Take a look:
MMA fans thinking about Rumble and Romero… pic.twitter.com/5Mvo7VYJUX
— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) December 14, 2020
Big signing for Bellator. Let’s not mess about. Give us Romero vs. Rumble, not Romero vs. Manhoef. https://t.co/U50Ijd6dWx
— Mike Bohn (@MikeBohnMMA) December 14, 2020
Romero vs. Rumble heading to your screens in 2021. Love it. https://t.co/74zwfNUZpt
— Shaheen Al-Shatti (@shaunalshatti) December 14, 2020
Anthony Johnson vs. Yoel Romero please. pic.twitter.com/tKC0FjJTkN
— Chamatkar Sandhu (@SandhuMMA) December 14, 2020
I tell ya, Rumble x Romero at 205 would be a fun one. 🤔
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) December 9, 2020
Me hoping Bellator gives us Yoel vs Rumble!!! pic.twitter.com/m734Skn9RJ
— Joe Joe Giannetti 💀 (@Giannettimma) December 14, 2020
Both Yoel Romero 🇨🇺 and Anthony "Rumble" Johnson 🇺🇸 have signed with @BellatorMMA …. that fight needs to happen! pic.twitter.com/CQKBvc8fz1
— Sebastian Vendel-Martinez (@vendelmartinez) December 14, 2020
Yoel Romero to @BellatorMMA him VS Anthony Johnson is fireworks 💥 #iseeyousoonboi
— Georgi Karakhanyan (@georgimma) December 14, 2020
Will we see a Rumble vs Romero in Bellator 🤔 #yoel #rumble
— Julian marquez (@JMarquezMMA) December 14, 2020
Look man, all I know is if Bellator actually makes Yoel vs Rumble, this is gonna be one of them within 2 and a half minutes of the opening bell. pic.twitter.com/7KBXLHhh6M
— MacMally🍀 (@MacMallyMMA) December 14, 2020
And on and on the tweets kept coming. Can you blame us? A light heavyweight clash between Johnson and Romero is an absolute dream matchup between two of the most feared men in the history of our sport.
We need this, Scott Coker. Make it happen!
The Blue Corner is MMA Junkie’s blog space. We don’t take it overly serious, and neither should you. If you come complaining to us that something you read here is not hard-hitting news, expect to have the previous sentence repeated in ALL CAPS.
