Bellator 297 results: Vadim Nemkov defends title in lop-sided contest

Bellator 297 results. Photo: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports

Bellator 297 featured a light heavyweight title bout against highly touted champion Vadim Nemkov and MMA veteran Yoel Romero.

Romero fought four times for UFC titles and is perhaps the fighter who got closest to being champion in the promotion without winning the belt. The Cuban would get no closer to winning a title in Bellator, however. Nemkov peppered his opponent with shots from the outside and mostly evaded the takedown attempts that came his way. Nemkov continued to put on the pressure and forced Romero into a defensive mode that he hardly exited. Aside from a slick superman punch and a late takedown, Romero didn’t offer up much offense.

After five rounds Nemkov would secure a clear-cut unanimous decision to defend his title.

WHAT IS GOING ON #Bellator297 pic.twitter.com/x7bmftZIjI

— Spinnin Backfist (@SpinninBackfist) June 17, 2023

Vadim Nemkov unleashing shots on @YoelRomeroMMA! 😳#Bellator297 | LIVE NOW | @SHOsports 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/B4sAZwafcb

— Bellator MMA (@BellatorMMA) June 17, 2023

The champ controlling the fight! Another strong round for Vadim Nemkov in Chicago. 👊#Bellator297 | LIVE NOW | @SHOsports 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/CDFBRxPfVh

— Bellator MMA (@BellatorMMA) June 17, 2023

The bantamweight titel was on the line in the co-main event as Sergio Pettis defended against promotional double champ Patricio “Pitbull” Friere. The fight started off very evenly but in the second round Pettis landed a vicious spinning back kick that hurt “Pitbull” badly. From there on Pettis used high kicks and his jab to eat away at Freire, and would go on to retain the title following five full rounds.

"Show me that kick" 👀

Bantamweight champ @SergioPettis and @PatricioPitbull share a moment after their epic fight in the Windy City 👊#Bellator297 pic.twitter.com/Qzv1Z9oINm

— Bellator MMA (@BellatorMMA) June 17, 2023

Bellator 297 results

Main card

• Light heavyweight title bout: Vadim Nemkov def. Yoel Romero via unanimous decision (49-46, 49-46, 49-46)
• Bantamvweight titel bout: Sergio Pettis def. Patricio Freire via unanimous decision (49-46, 50-45, 50-45)
• Corey Anderson def. Phil Davis via split decision (28-29, 29-28, 28-29)
• Gokhan Saricam def. Daniel James via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

Prelims

• Gadzhi Rabadanov def. Pieter Buist via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
• Ramazan Kuramagomedov def. Jaleel Willis via knockout (knee and punches) – Round 1, 1:24
• Norbert Novenyi Jr. def. Kamil Oniszczuk via knockout (punches) – Round 1, 0:46
• Archie Colgan def. Emmanuel Sanchez via unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)
• Jordan Newman def. Matthew Perry via submission (Americana) – Round 1, 4:20
• Cody Law def. Edwin Chavez via unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)

Post lims

• Wladmir Gouvea def. Gabriel Sayeg via knockout (strikes) – Round 1, 0:20
• Kyle Crutchmer def. Bobby Nash via TKO (strikes) – Round 1, 3:42
• Mike Hamel def. Shamil Nikaev via majority decision (28-28, 29-28, 29-28)
• Karl Moore def. Alex Polizzi via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
• Timur Khizriev def. Richie Smullen via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

Read more: Ciryl Gane takes on Serghei Spivac in main event at UFC Paris

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