Phil Davis avoids danger and defeats Yoel Romero

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SAN JOSE, Calif .– Yoel Romero made his long-awaited first walk to the Bellator cage on Saturday, where he saw his promotional debut marred by former light heavyweight champion Phil Davis.

In the Bellator 266 main event at the SAP Center, Davis (23-6 MMA, 10-3 BMMA) defeated Romero (13-6 MMA, 0-1 BMMA) by split decision with scores of 30-27, 28- 29, 30 -26, although it wasn’t that close.

The first round was largely a staring contest, although the great lands around Romero got thousands of oohs and ahhs from those in attendance. Recalling his UFC 248 fight against Israel Adesanya, “The Soldier of God” was largely still as Davis tried to punch in and out.

Early in the second round, Romero found his marks a handful of hard punches – and a brutal leg kick that Davis limped. Shortly thereafter, Davis returned his own punch, which Romero immediately recognized afterwards with an exaggerated facial expression. As the seconds ended in the round, Davis shot – and secured – the first out of the bout.

A scorching strike from Romero narrowly missed Davis early in the final round. Davis resorted to his bread and butter with another pullout attempt, which he obtained after a long struggle of strength. Davis would control Romero until the final buzzer and would be named the winner shortly thereafter.

With the win, Davis returns to the winning column after losing the title challenge in April to champion Vadim Nemkov at Bellator 257. In his last five fights, Davis has gone 4-1 with his other wins against Lyoto Machida, Karl Albrektsson, and Liam McGeary.

Romero, 44, has now lost four straight and five of his last six outings. His last victory dates back to December 2018 when he eliminated Luke Rockhold. Saturday’s fight was his first at 205 pounds since his only appearance against Strikeforce, which took place in September 2011.

Full results for the Bellator 266 include:

  • Phil Davis beat. Yoel Romero by split decision (30-27, 28-29, 30-26)
  • Neiman Gracie beat. Mark Lemminger via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 1:27
  • DeAnna Bennett beat. Alejandra Lara via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-26, 30-26)
  • Saul Rogers beat. Georgi Karakhanyan via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-26, 30-26)
  • Ben Parrish defeated Christian Edwards by KO (punches) – Round 1, 0:38
  • Alex Polizzi beat. Grant Neal by split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)
  • Anthony Adams beat. Khalid Murtazaliev via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
  • Bobby Seronio III defeated. Socrate Hernandez via unanimous decision (29-27, 29-26, 29-26)
  • Abraham Vaesauvia beat. Albert Gonzales by KO (punches) – Round 1, 2:17
  • Shane Keefe beat. Rhalan Gracie via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
  • Edwin De Los Santos defeated. Jon Adams via TKO (strikes) – Round 1, 3:29
  • Jesse Delgado beat. Joshua Dillon via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)



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