Yoel Romero’s journey to the pinnacle of the UFC has been marked by heartbreaking sacrifices. The Cuban-born middleweight contender defected from his homeland in 2007 to pursue his MMA dreams, leaving behind his mother, father, and a child.
“It’s never going to stop hurting,” Romero told FOX Sports in an interview. “It’s always going to hurt.” Romero’s defection was a complex decision, as he had to choose between his family and his aspirations. He competed in a wrestling tournament in Germany and decided to stay, later meeting a woman and starting a family there.
However, Romero soon realized that to continue his MMA journey, he had to move to the United States. “I love Germany,” he said. “Unfortunately, I had to leave because there wasn’t any MMA clubs where I could train and continue to learn there.”
This decision led Romero to American Top Team in Coconut Creek, Florida, where he has blossomed into a top-ranked UFC middleweight. With his Olympic wrestling credentials and boxing experience, Romero quickly became a dominant force in the sport.
Romero was released from the UFC in 2020.
On December 14, 2020, Yoel Romero signed a multi-fight deal with Bellator MMA to compete in the light heavyweight division starting in 2021. He was announced as a participant in the Bellator Light Heavyweight World Grand Prix Tournament, initially scheduled to face Anthony Johnson at Bellator 257 on April 16, but the bout was later moved to Bellator 258 on May 7. However, Romero failed his medicals due to an eye issue, leading to his removal from the tournament. He made his Bellator debut on September 18, 2021, against Phil Davis, losing via split decision.
Romero was set to fight Melvin Manhoef on May 6, 2022, at Bellator 280, but Manhoef withdrew due to a hand injury and was replaced by Alex Polizzi, whom Romero defeated via TKO. The fight with Manhoef was rescheduled for September 23, 2022, at Bellator 285, where Romero won by knockout. He was scheduled to face Vadim Nemkov for the Bellator Light Heavyweight World Championship on February 4, 2023, at Bellator 290, but Nemkov withdrew, and the bout was canceled. Romero eventually fought Nemkov on June 16, 2023, at Bellator 297, losing via unanimous decision. Romero then faced Thiago Santos on February 24, 2024, at PFL vs. Bellator, winning by unanimous decision.
He is still active in combat sports, despite being age 47.
