Career Timeline of Yoel Romero: Major Achievements and Milestones

How Yoel Romero built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.

Yoel Romero is a Cuban professional mixed martial artist and former freestyle wrestler. He's currently competing in the Light Heavyweight division, previously known for his time in the Middleweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). In the UFC, he was a prominent contender for the UFC Middleweight Championship. He has also competed in Bellator MMA.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles

1996: Khadzhimurad Magomedov wins gold

In 1996, Khadzhimurad Magomedov won the Olympic gold medal, who Yoel defeated in 1999.

1997: Fifth-Place Finish

In 1997, Yoel Romero achieved a fifth-place finish in a world championship.

1997: FILA Wrestling World Championships Debut

In 1997, Yoel Romero began representing Cuba at senior level in the FILA Wrestling World Championships.

1999: World Wrestling Champion

At the 1999 World Wrestling Championships, Yoel Romero became world champion by defeating Khadzhimurad Magomedov of Russia, the 1996 Olympic gold medalist.

2000: 2000 Summer Olympics

In 2000, Yoel Romero competed in the Summer Olympics representing Cuba, winning a silver medal in freestyle wrestling after losing to Adam Saitiev in the finals.

2000: Olympic Silver Medal

In 2000, Yoel Romero won the Olympic Silver medal in freestyle wrestling.

2002: Near World Champion Win

In 2002, Yoel Romero nearly became world champion again, but lost due to penalty points and a controversial overtime ruling.

2003: Sixth-Place Finish and Pan American Games Gold

In 2003, Yoel Romero finished sixth in a competition due to injuries, but he also won a gold medal at the Pan American Games.

2003: Pan American Games Gold Medal

In 2003, Yoel Romero won the Gold medal at the Pan American Games.

2004: 2004 Summer Olympics

In 2004, Yoel Romero competed in the Summer Olympics, finishing in fourth place.

2005: FILA Wrestling World Championships

In 2005 Yoel Romero was representing Cuba at senior level in the FILA Wrestling World Championships

2007: Defection to Germany

In 2007, Yoel Romero defected to Germany.

December 2009: MMA Debut

In December 2009, Yoel Romero made his professional mixed martial arts debut.

July 2011: Signing with Strikeforce

In July 2011, Yoel Romero signed with Strikeforce.

September 10, 2011: Strikeforce Debut

On September 10, 2011, Yoel Romero made his promotional debut against Rafael Cavalcante at Strikeforce 36, losing via KO in the second round.

2011: MMA Record

By 2011, Yoel Romero had amassed a record of 5-0 in various promotions in Germany and Poland.

April 20, 2013: UFC Debut and Knockout of the Night

On April 20, 2013, Yoel Romero made his promotional and middleweight debut against Clifford Starks at UFC on Fox 7, winning by flying knee knockout in the first round and earning Knockout of the Night honors.

November 6, 2013: UFC Fight Night 31 Win

On November 6, 2013, Yoel Romero faced Ronny Markes at UFC Fight Night 31, winning the fight via knockout in the third round.

January 15, 2014: UFC Fight Night 35 Victory

On January 15, 2014, Yoel Romero faced Derek Brunson at UFC Fight Night 35, winning in the third round via TKO and earning a Fight of the Night bonus of $50,000.

September 27, 2014: Controversial Win at UFC 178

On September 27, 2014, Yoel Romero fought Tim Kennedy at UFC 178 and won via TKO in the third round. The fight was marked by controversy due to extra time given to Romero to recover between rounds and Kennedy illegally holding Romero's glove while striking him.

June 27, 2015: UFC Fight Night 70 Victory

On June 27, 2015, Yoel Romero faced Lyoto Machida at UFC Fight Night 70, winning via knockout in the third round and earning a Performance of the Night bonus. This was Romero's first UFC event headlining.

December 12, 2015: UFC 194 Split Decision Win

On December 12, 2015, Yoel Romero fought Ronaldo Souza at UFC 194, winning the fight via split decision. The decision was controversial, with only 2 of 17 media outlets scoring the bout in favor of Romero.

November 12, 2016: UFC 205 Victory and Title Shot

On November 12, 2016, Yoel Romero faced Chris Weidman at UFC 205, winning via knockout in the third round and earning a Performance of the Night bonus. This victory secured Romero's position as the next-in-line for a title shot, extending his winning streak to 8 matches.

July 8, 2017: UFC 213 Interim Title Fight

On July 8, 2017, Yoel Romero fought Robert Whittaker at UFC 213 for the interim UFC Middleweight Championship, losing by unanimous decision but earning a Fight of the Night award.

January 13, 2018: Whittaker Pulls Out, Romero Fights Rockhold for Interim Title

On January 13, 2018, it was reported that Robert Whittaker had pulled out of his bout against Luke Rockhold at UFC 221. Yoel Romero was announced as his replacement to fight Rockhold for the interim UFC Middleweight Championship.

February 24, 2018: UFC 221 Victory Over Rockhold

On February 24, 2018, Yoel Romero was scheduled to face David Branch at UFC on Fox 28. However, Romero fought Luke Rockhold at UFC 221. Romero won the fight via KO in the third round, although he was ineligible for the interim championship due to missing weight. He was fined 30% of his purse, awarded to Rockhold.

June 9, 2018: UFC 225 Loss to Whittaker

On June 9, 2018, Yoel Romero had a rematch with Robert Whittaker at UFC 225. Romero missed weight, resulting in the fight proceeding as a non-title catchweight bout. Romero lost by split decision. The fight was awarded Fight of the Night, with Whittaker receiving both $50,000 bonuses due to Romero missing weight.

June 15, 2019: Submission Grappling Match

On June 15, 2019, Yoel Romero competed against Chris Barnett in a submission grappling match hosted by Dean Toole Promotions, submitting Barnett with a kimura at 3:50 of the match.

August 17, 2019: UFC 241 Fight Against Paulo Costa

On August 17, 2019, Yoel Romero faced Paulo Costa at UFC 241, losing the fight via unanimous decision despite dominating the third round. He earned the Fight of the Night award.

March 7, 2020: UFC 248 Loss to Adesanya

On March 7, 2020, Yoel Romero faced Israel Adesanya at UFC 248 for the UFC middleweight title, losing the fight via unanimous decision. The fight was criticized for its low activity and lack of significant offense.

December 14, 2020: Signing with Bellator MMA

On December 14, 2020, it was announced that Yoel Romero had agreed to a multi-fight deal with Bellator MMA.

February 9, 2021: Bellator Light Heavyweight World Grand Prix

On February 9, 2021, it was announced that Yoel Romero would be participating in the Bellator Light Heavyweight World Grand Prix Tournament.

September 18, 2021: Bellator Debut

On September 18, 2021, Yoel Romero made his Bellator debut at Bellator 266 against Phil Davis, losing the bout via split decision.

2021: Bellator Debut

In 2021, Yoel Romero was expected to compete in Bellator MMA's light heavyweight division.

May 6, 2022: Bellator 280 Victory

On May 6, 2022, Yoel Romero was scheduled to fight Melvin Manhoef at Bellator 280, however, Manhoef withdrew. Yoel faced Alex Polizzi and won the bout via TKO in the final seconds of the third round.

September 23, 2022: Bellator 285 Win Against Manhoef

On September 23, 2022, Yoel Romero fought Melvin Manhoef at Bellator 285 and won the bout by knockout on the ground via elbows in the third round.

February 4, 2023: Bellator Light Heavyweight World Championship Bout Scrapped

On February 4, 2023, Yoel Romero's scheduled fight against Vadim Nemkov for the Bellator Light Heavyweight World Championship at Bellator 290 was canceled due to Nemkov's withdrawal for undisclosed reasons.

June 16, 2023: Bellator Light Heavyweight World Championship Fight

On June 16, 2023, Yoel Romero faced Vadim Nemkov for the Bellator Light Heavyweight World Championship at Bellator 297 and lost the fight via unanimous decision.

February 24, 2024: PFL vs. Bellator Fight

On February 24, 2024, Yoel Romero fought Thiago Santos at PFL vs. Bellator and won the bout by unanimous decision.

June 15, 2024: Withdrawal from Polaris 28

On June 15, 2024, Yoel Romero was scheduled to compete against Owen Livesey at Polaris 28 in an openweight match, but he had to withdraw and was replaced by Baissangour Chamsoudinov.

November 23, 2024: Dirty Boxing Championship Win

On November 23, 2024, Yoel Romero competed in Mike Perry's "Dirty Boxing Championship" against Power Slap athlete Duane Crespo and won by first-round knockout.

January 16, 2025: Signs with Global Fight League

On January 16, 2025, it was announced that Yoel Romero left his previous promotion and signed with the Global Fight League.

March 22, 2025: DBX1 Main Event Win

On March 22, 2025, Yoel Romero competed at "Dirty Boxing"'s DBX1 event against former Bellator MMA fighter Ras Hylton in the main event and won the fight by technical knockout in the third round.