Beloved former UFC title challenger to make surprise return tonight on secret Miami fight card
Today at 05:43 AM
Former UFC title contender Yoel Romero is making a shock return to action tonight at a secret event in Miami.
The iconic former middleweight is one of the most popular fighters around even now, despite a stop-start few years since leaving the sport’s top promotion. He last fought for UFC gold against Israel Adesanya in 2020, before moving on to compete in Bellator.
Now, he has bulked up to heavyweight, where he is due to make his return under Mike Perry’s new ‘Dirty Boxing’ rules this evening. The bout will be part of an underground event in Florida, which will be aired after the fact.
- Who is Mike Perry?Meet the BKFC superstar who took on Jake Paul in the boxing ring
Yoel Romero makes return tonight on Dirty Boxing fight card
It’s been the best part of a year since Yoel Romero last competed in MMA, defeating Thiago Santos at the PFL vs Bellator event in Riyadh this February. Since then he was due to have a grappling match which was cancelled, and is now making his ‘Dirty Boxing’ debut.
Now, he is set to face Power Slap star Duane Crespo Jr in the headline attraction of a private event in Miami. He is up at heavyweight for the first time, with the pair agreeing to a 225lb limit for their showdown.
Romero weighed in yesterday before facing off with Crespo, with the pair looking strikingly different in their body shapes. The 47-year-old still looks completely shredded even 40lb up from his title challenging weight, while his rival cut a doughier figure.
It is expected that 500 invited guests will be in attendance tonight, with a number of other veterans of major promotions making appearances. PFL tournament contender Solomon Renfro is another major name, with a host of former ONE Championship and Bellator fighters involved.
Mike Perry debuts new style of boxing with secret Miami event
The new ‘Dirty Boxing’ Championship was launched by Mike Perry just hours before his fight with Jake Paul this summer. They are now set to make their debut in a private show in Florida, before launching larger scale events in future.
Perry holds the title of Chief Violence Officer at Dirty Boxing Championship. He is joined in the business by former Karate Combat boss Adam Kovacs who acts as CEO and the Kawa brothers Malki and Abe from First Round Management, as well as Josh McLean of Kanpai Labs.
The appeal of Dirty Boxing is to bring together the best parts of striking from MMA and boxing, making for an exciting new sport. The ruleset permits punches, elbows and ground 'n' pound in an effort to make the discipline as high-action as possible.
- Who is Dana White? All you need to know about the CEO and President of the UFC
