Yoel Romero out of Bellator 258 grand prix bout vs. Anthony Johnson

One of the most anticipated fights in Bellator history has been canceled.

The light heavyweight grand prix matchup between Yoel Romero and Anthony Johnson at Bellator 258 has been called off after Romero wasn’t cleared to compete following a medical screening.

Bellator officials announced the news to the ViacomCBS-owned CBSSports.com on Thursday. MMA Junkie subsequently verified the announcement with a Bellator official.

Shortly thereafter, the promotion released a statement on the situation involving Romero.

Yoel Romero did not clear pre-fight medical testing and as a result, his BELLATOR MMA debut against Anthony “Rumble” Johnson has been postponed. BELLATOR will confirm a tournament alternate to face “Rumble” Johnson in the Light Heavyweight World Grand Prix as soon as possible.

BELLATOR 258: Archuleta vs. Pettis will go on as scheduled on Friday, May 7, live on SHOWTIME at 9p ET/6p PT. The event features the BELLATOR bantamweight world championship main event between champion Juan Archuleta and Sergio Pettis, a welterweight bout pitting Michael “Venom” Page against Derek Anderson, and a lightweight tilt between Patricky “Pitbull” and Peter Queally. Additional fights for the main card are to be announced.

Romero will become eligible to reapply for clearance to compete in the coming months, and we look forward to seeing him make his BELLATOR debut in the near future. BELLATOR MMA will look to reschedule the highly anticipated Johnson versus Romero matchup at a future date.

According to the report, a tournament alternate fighter will step in for Romero (13-5 MMA, 0-0 BMMA) to face Johnson (22-6 MMA, 0-0 BMMA), although it’s unknown if the matchup will take place on the May 7 card at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn.

Romero was set to make his post-UFC debut in the bout after parting ways with the promotion after a stint that saw him fight for the title three times. It’s unknown exactly why “The Soldier of God” was declined medical clearance.

Johnson, meanwhile, was meant to face Romero in his first bout since retiring from the sport in April 2017. He recently said the matchup was the most anticipated of his career, but will now have to face someone else.