Yoel Romero is fighting this weekend. Yes, you read right.
The former multiple-time UFC title challenger returns to action this Saturday in Miami, Fla., at Dirty Boxing Championship – a striking promotion owned by Mike Perry. Romero’s return didn’t fly under the radar; the promotion literally announced the fight on Friday evening, hours before the event.
Romero, 47, is set to take on former Power Slap athlete Duane Crespo in a heavyweight contest. MMA Junkie confirmed the details of the bout with Dirty Boxing.
Dirty Boxing Championship bouts are composed of three – or five, if it’s a main event – three-minute rounds. Fighters fight with 5oz gloves, with elbows being permitted.
Romero competes in his first bout since defeating Thiago Santos in a light heavyweight bout on the PFL vs. Bellator card in February. His contractual standing with PFL at the time of this writing is unknown.
Romero, a silver medalist in wrestling on the 2000 Olympics, most notably fought for the UFC title in three different occasions, coming up short in decisions to Robert Whittaker (twice), and Israel Adesanya. He also fought for the Bellator light heavyweight belt, losing to then champion Vadim Nemkov by decision in 2023.
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