Yoel Romero receives medical clearance; Bellator zones in on promotional debut

UNCASVILLE, Conn. – Yoel Romero has been granted the medical clearance he needs to make his Bellator debut.

Bellator president Scott Coker revealed Romero (13-5 MMA, 0-0 BMMA), a former UFC middleweight title challenger is once again eligible to compete following a canceled May fight due to an eye issue.

“I think he is cleared now, so I think we’ll be looking to book him and have him fight before the end of the year,” Coker told MMA Junkie on Thursday. “I think he’s good to go on all cylinders moving forward. Give us another week or two and we’ll figure it out and put him on a card somewhere.”

Romero, 44, competed at middleweight in the UFC, but was scheduled to move to 205 pounds and fight Anthony Johnson in the Bellator grand prix earlier this year. Even though the tournament moved on without him, Romero will still compete at light heavyweight in Bellator, at least to start.

“Yes, he’s going to compete at 205,” Coker said. “I think he said he’s willing to cut, but right now, he’s at 205.”

No further details about an opponent, location, date or event were revealed, but MMA Junkie has learned the promotional debut could come as soon as September.

Romero enters Bellator on a three-fight losing skid, though the defeats all came to top-tier competition in UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya, former title challenger Paulo Costa, and former champion Robert Whittaker.

Bellator returns Friday with Bellator 264, which takes place at Mohegan Sun Arena. The main card airs on Showtime after prelims on MMA Junkie.