Bellator 266 Results – Phil Davis Fights Save, Defeats Yoel Romero With Split Decision

September 19, 2021

Yoel Romero Finally made his long awaited Bellator Debut but despite his efforts, got outclassed by former Bellator light heavyweight champion Phil Davis in the Main Event Of Bellator 266, which took place on Saturday night at SAP Center San Jose CA USA.

Davis (23-6 MMA, 10-3 BMMA) was favoured on the judges scorecards Romero (13-6 MMA, 0-1 BMMA) scores of (30-27), (28-29), (30-26) to take home a split decision victory.

The fight started out slow with both fighters feeling themselves out and trying to find an opening especially Davis, who kept his distance and tried moving in and out of Romero’s defence. Romero on his part connected a few big punches that forced a reaction out of the spectators which looked more like the fight against Isreal Adesanya at UFC 248. However, Romero made very little movements and made himself and easy target for Davis.

A big takedown from @PhilMrWonderful to end round 2.#Bellator266 LIVE on @SHOsports. pic.twitter.com/PM4CBpe3if

— BellatorMMA (@BellatorMMA) September 19, 2021

Romero had more success in the second round, connected a series of hard punches coupled with a leg kicks that immediately got Davis attention and forced him to limp away. Davis then return with a hard punch of his own that that left Romero with a facial expression. Davis then scored a takedown and controlled the fight from then.

Romero went out firing in the third round, but missed a big right hand that forced Davis back in his protective gear and then then scouting for takedowns and after a lot of struggle, Davis got successful with that attempt and ended up controlling the fight till the final horn.

.@PhilMrWonderful gets @YoelRomeroMMA‘s attention.#Bellator266 LIVE on @SHOsports. pic.twitter.com/n50P0uIJzK

— BellatorMMA (@BellatorMMA) September 19, 2021

Davis with the win has accumulated a 4 – 1 record, which has seen him defeat the likes of Lyoto Machida, Karl Albrektsson, and Liam McGeary. However, he is making it back to the win column since losing to champion Vadim Nemkov back at Bellator 257.

Romero made a return back to Light Heavyweight division since 2011, his first and only Strikeforce appearance. Romero is without a win in his last four fights and has gone 1 – 5 in his last six fights.

Fight Back-Ground

Phil Davis will welcome Yoel Romero to Bellator MMA in a Light Heavyweight clash that headlines Bellator 266 on Saturday night At the SAP Center in San Jose , California.

Romero will be fighting for the first time since been released from the UFC, He was on a four fight losing streak and was released following an action starved title fight with UFC Middleweight Champion Israel Adesanya.

Romero will be facing a former Light Heavyweight Champion in Phil Davis, who with a technique closely similar to Adesanya could cause some serious problem for Romero given his height and reach advantage.

Davis has never lost to Southpaw’s which could be a deciding factor, he has won 5 fights and ended just one with a draw. Davis owns a 2 inch height advantage and a 2.5 inch reach advantage over Romero.

Davis is a natural Kickboxer and has used this to his advantage, maintaining range while picking his opponent apart from distance. Romero is a wrestler but has adopted a counter striking game to his techniques and being an explosive fighter, could take his opponents by surprise when they less expect an attack.

Davis like the Romero is a good wrestler and was able to win the NCAA championship early in his career, he is no stranger to grappling and has been able to snatch a few submission victories.

Both fighters will be looking for a way back to the win column. Phil Davis was submitted in his last putting against Vadim Nemkov and Romero will be happy to make it back to the win column, having been away for too long