We have you covered for all of today’s PFL vs Bellator card, including an intriguing main card scrap between Yoel Romero and Thiago Santos.
Thiago Santos (22-11 and one No Contest) is coming off a decision loss to Rob Wilkinson back in April in his PFL debut which was later overturned to a No Contest after the Aussie failed a drug test. Before that, the Brazilian suffered a TKO loss to Jamahal Hill and a decision loss to Magomed Ankalaev.
Yoel Romero (15-7), meanwhile, is coming off a lackluster decision loss to Vadim Nemkov for the Bellator light heavyweight title last time out. To earn the title shot, Romero knocked out Melvin Manhoef and Alex Polizzi in back-to-back fights. In his career, he holds notable wins over Chris Weidman, Luke Rockhold, Jacare Souza, and Lyoto Machida among others.
Round one starts with a glove touch as the two have yet to throw a strike in the first 45 seconds. Santos and Romero are just bouncing around as both are tentative to throw. Good leg kick from Romero, and a head kick from Santos but it’s blocked. Santos throws some leg kicks, but not much action with two minutes to go in the first round. A good right hand from Santos. Romero explodes but misses and Santos catches him on the way out. Santos lands a good shot, and the horn sounds, with a very close first round.
Santos vs Romero Round 1 UP NOW!#PFLvsBellator LIVE NOW
🌏 https://t.co/bhG8IhBcGp pic.twitter.com/61dU9brfTA— Bellator MMA (@BellatorMMA) February 24, 2024
The second round begins with Thiago Santos landing a nice jab. Yoel Romero explodes with a punch and into a takedown, but Santos quickly stuffs it. Neither are throwing much but Santos does land a nice kick into a punch. Santos is starting to pick up the volume. Good leg kick from Romero. Santos with a nice jab that lands. The Brazilian throws a right hand that Romero avoids. Romero lands another leg kick followed by a jab from Santos. Romero is attacking the legs with kicks as Santos switches stances. Santos lands a nice punch. Romero throws a head kick but misses. Santos a nice jab. Another close round that could very go either way, this is a toss-up heading into the third round.
Yoel Romero has been investing in those low kicks through 2 rounds. 1 more round to go!#PFLvsBellator LIVE NOW
🇺🇸 https://t.co/cJUXOuQ94d
🌏https://t.co/jPNvomCxHI pic.twitter.com/JZ3pA9nMlu— PFL (@PFLMMA) February 24, 2024
The third and final round begins with a left hand from Yoel Romero but that misses. A good jab from Santos. A leg kick from Romero followed by a jab from Santos. Romero continues to chop Santos’ legs with kicks as the two clinch. Romero looks for the takedown, but Santos stuffs it and lands a nice flurry as they exit the clinch. A leg kick from Santos. Santos and Romero trade punches in the pocket. A nice kick from Romero while Santos lands a body shot. Good leg kicks from Santos while Romero lands a nice punch. The two trade punches in the pocket, but most seemed to miss. Another close round, as this fight goes the distance and it could go either way.
PFL vs. Bellator results: Yoel Romero def. Thiago Santos by decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28).
