Yoel Romero has inked a new contract to compete in bare-knuckle fighting just days after withdrawing from a BKFC title fight due to illness.
The former UFC title contender was set to battle Lorenzo Hunt for the BKFC light heavyweight championship last Saturday. However, Romero was sidelined with the flu, leading Hunt to face David Mandel in a catchweight contest instead.
This setback followed a difficult start to the year for Romero, the Olympic silver medalist, who was initially scheduled to fight Beau Nickal at RAF05. He lost his title when he came in underweight and then suffered a defeat against Stephen Buchanan in a subsequent fight.
In recent news shared on Instagram, the International Boxing Association revealed a clip of Romero signing a contract for an upcoming bare-knuckle bout under the IBA BK banner. The fight is slated to take place at IBA BK 4 in Russia, although details concerning the date, opponent, and location have yet to be disclosed.
Romero’s withdrawal from the BKFC title fight sparked skepticism among fans, with Hunt remarking that it “doesn’t look like he gave me the flu.” Many fans echoed this doubt, yet some expressed enthusiasm about seeing Romero compete in Russia. Discussions included speculation about Romero’s intentions and concerns over the future of the BKFC title fight.
Fan Take:
Romero’s shift to bare-knuckle fighting highlights his relentless pursuit of competition despite recent setbacks, keeping fans intrigued about his career trajectory. This move signals the growing crossover appeal between MMA and bare-knuckle boxing, potentially driving more interest and talent into the bare-knuckle scene.
