Yoel Romero: Anthony Johnson bout reaction shows fans follow fighters regardless of promotion

Yoel Romero knew he wasn’t going to become yesterday’s news when he left the UFC.

The multiple-time UFC title challenger has been been a prime topic of conversation in the MMA world since he signed with Bellator, buzz which started again Tuesday with the announcement of his matchup against Anthony Johnson.

The two fan favorites are set to meet April 16 at Bellator 257, and the bout is part of the quarterfinal lineup of the Bellator light heavyweight grand prix.

Romero (13-5 MMA, 0-0 BMMA) believes the online reaction to the matchup against Johnson (22-6 MMA, 0-0 BMMA) is a testament to both of their careers, and to how fans will follow the favorite fighters regardless of which promotion hosts their bouts.

“The reaction of the fans is always going to be the same, it doesn’t depend on what company the fighter is in or where the fighter is fighting at, but more on what the athlete has done,” Romero explained to reporters at a media availability following Bellator’s Tuesday press conference.

“The fans will follow you not because of the company or league that you’re competing in, but what the athlete has done. I think the reaction from the fans it’s a reflection of the work that Anthony and I have had outside of Bellator and even outside of the UFC.

“I’ve humbly been competing since 1997, I fought in Strikeforce, then UFC, and now I’m in another big company which is Bellator. I think that’s the reaction of a fan base that’s been following you for many years. It’s obvious that the fan base is aware of the legacy that Anthony Johnson has, as well as myself.”

Both Romero and Johnson recently joined the Bellator ranks after having lengthy UFC careers. The two are considered among the very best in their divisions, as they both stepped away from UFC competition when they were ranked in the top-five.

Romero, who’s moving up from middleweight to light heavyweight, will compete on the same card in which the Bellator light heavyweight title will be defended with champ Vadim Nemkov taking on former titleholder Phil Davis. The Nemkov-Davis rematch will also be part of the quarterfinal matchups of the grand prix.