To many, Yoel Romero defies the laws of nature.
The multiple-time UFC title challenger and now Bellator fighter has become an ageless wonder in MMA, maintaining his status among the top fighters in the world, along with his top-tier athletic ability and impressive physique.
Romero (13-6 MMA, 0-1 BMMA), a multiple-time wrestling world champion and Olympics silver medalist, turned 45 last Saturday. To celebrate, he’ll compete in his 20th professional fight Friday at Bellator 280 against Alex Polizzi in a light heavyweight co-main event.
Romero is not surprised to find himself fighting in his mid 40’s, but he is a bit taken aback by how good he still feels.
“Yeah, I’m not surprised (I’m still fighting),” Romero told MMA Junkie in Spanish. “What does surprise me is the shape that I’m in. I mean, I’d train and I would think, ‘I’d love to (be fighting a long time).’ But when you look at yourself and you compare yourself with the youngsters, I sometimes tell them, ‘Hey, you’re letting me get you?’ And they say, ‘No way. You’re catching me because it’s you, but I’m not letting you get me.’ So yeah, it’s like that.”
It’s no secret Romero is a gifted athlete, but he’s also a disciplined one. “The Soldier of God” has been very conscious in preserving his body the best he can so that he can still fight despite his status as an elder statesman.
“Life in athletics is short,” Romero said. “But it can be prolonged, and that’s on you. The way you live and your day-to-day, that’s on you. If you unload all your rounds, you’re not going to have any bullets left to fire. It’s the same thing if you mistreat your body, if you’re staying up all night, if you drink and you live a disorganized life.
“I’m not saying for you not to do it. You can go out and do your thing, but you can’t pretend to be partying every day and eating unhealthy because your body is going to call your attention and get you to stop. And that’s what I try to do everyday – live a life as organized as possible so that my athletic life can be as long as possible.
“I also don’t train like crazy. I don’t. I train very well, but very systematically thanks to my trainers. I look after myself in training. The nutrition, the rest and recovery. Everything.”
Romero doesn’t think the end is near for his fighting career. He still has aspirations of becoming a champion under the Bellator banner and wants to surpass legendary boxer Bernard Hopkins, who retired at the age of 51 and was still competing in championship fights.
“I want to pass Bernard Hopkins,” Romero said. “I want to pass him. I want to make it to 51, 52 years old – that’s the goal that I have. That’s what I see for myself in this sport. I’m 45 now.”
Yoel Romero wants to fight into his 50s like Bernard Hopkins. Here’s why he feels on track.
