Bellator travels to Chicago on Friday with a full card, led by two championship fights. While Vadim Nemkov will defend his light heavyweight championship in the main event against Yoel Romero, it’s the co-main event that grabbed the most headlines ahead of the fight for Bellator 297.
This co-main event will see former lightweight and current three-time featherweight champion Patricio Pitbull chasing history as he attempts to win Bellator gold in a third weight division by taking on bantamweight champion Sergio Pettis.
Pettis won the title with a decision over Juan Archuleta in May 2021. In December he defended his maiden title for the first time against Kyoji Horiguchi. Horiguchi quickly proved why he was the favorite going into the duel and controlled the action until Pettis scored a shocking late knockout with a spinning backfist to remain the champion.
Pettis was then ready to defend his Bellator Bantamweight World Grand Prix title by facing Raufeon Stots in the first round of the tournament before an injury forced him to the sidelines.
“It was difficult to overcome at first. Last year I missed three fights and a chance to become a millionaire,” Pettis said. “But I think it was a sign of the universe. I came into this sport to leave a legacy, but it was for the money. I think this fight is the perfect fight to restart my career.”
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Pitbull benefited from Pettis’ injury when Patchy Mix won the Grand Prix in late April and became provisional champion, meaning a unification fight would have to wait until later in the year. Now Pitbull drops to 135 pounds to become the first fighter to win world titles in three weight classes in a major mixed martial arts promotion.
Pitbull is currently the Bellator Featherweight Champion for a third time after defeating AJ McKee in October 2022. The win over McKee was revenge for a quick knockout loss at the Featherweight World Grand Prix earlier in the year. He then retained his title with a decision victory over Adam Borics and extended his record of wins in the Bellator cage to 22.
“I’ve been the 145-pound champion here at Bellator for many years,” Pitbull said. “I went up to 155 pounds, KO’d Michael Chandler, vacated the belt and my brother Patricky won. Bellator gave me an opportunity to win the 135lb belt and I’m grateful for the opportunity. I couldn’t be happier.
“I can’t believe how easy this process of moving down a weight class was. I’ve been on this diet since I defeated RIZIN Champion Glue.” [Koike], in December last year. I weigh eight pounds more. It’s easier to make this weight than it was for me to make a featherweight. I’m great, I’m ready and it’s been easier than ever. I’m ready to shock the world.
In addition to his three tenures as the lightweight champion, Pitbull won the lightweight title in 2019, taking just 61 seconds to achieve a TKO victory over Michael Chandler.
The main event between Nemkov and Romero is likely Romero’s last chance to win a world championship. In four scheduled bouts for the world title or interim UFC middleweight title, Romero prevailed 3-1 but even in his win failed to secure a belt due to lack of weight. After leaving the UFC after losing three bouts, Romero transitioned to light heavyweight in his Bellator debut but lost a split decision to Phil Davis.
Since losing to Davis, Romero has had two KO’s, most recently brutally elbowing Melvin Manhoef at Bellator 285.
Nemkov was perfect in the Bellator cage with eight wins and no losses. He won the light heavyweight title in his fifth Bellator effort, knocking out Ryan Bader. He then jeopardized the light heavyweight Grand Prix title, picking up victories over Phil Davis and Julius Anglickas before facing Corey Anderson in the tournament finals.
“We can both wrestle and we can both punch,” Nemkov said. “I’ve watched the last few fights of his and I know myself so I’m not expecting much wrestling. Since it’s a very serious opponent and lasts five rounds, I’m hoping to finish it sooner. But I” “I’m ready for five rounds.”
Anderson was clearly in control of the fight before an accidental head-to-head clash caused a laceration over Nemkov’s eye and resulted in a no contest. The pair fought again for the World and Grand Prix titles last November, with Nemkov winning the decision and setting a record for the most successful defense of Bellator’s 205-pound title.
The undercard also sees the return of Anderson, who faces fellow UFC veteran Phil Davis. Despite the losses against Nemkov, the pair will be looking for a win to get back in contention for the title. Also, fast-rising heavyweight contender Daniel James gets his chance for a comeback when he takes on Gokhan Saricam to open the main card.
Bellator 297 fight card, odds
Odds via Caesars Sportsbook
| Vadim Nemkov (c) -550 | Yoel Romero +400 | light heavyweight title |
| Patricio Pitbull -190 | Sergio Pettis (c) +160 | Bantamweight title |
| Corey Anderson -170 | Phil Davis +145 | light heavyweight |
| Gokhan Saricam -120 | DanielJames +100 | heavyweight |
Bellator 297 display information
Date: June 16 | Start time: 9:00 p.m. ET (main card)
Location: Wintrust Arena – Chicago
TV channel: show time
predictions
Vadim Nemkov (c) vs Yoel Romero: Romero has one of the most interesting careers in MMA history. He was an elite fighter who never cleared the final hurdle to winning a world title and was often the victim of self-sabotage. Now 46 years old, he meets a young, strong champion who has defeated some extremely strong opponents in his rise. Romero had an amazing wrestling career, but often failed to use his grappling and instead chose to stay on his feet and strike. Nemkov is just too dynamic for Romero at this point in both men’s careers, and unless Romero wrestles and chokes his way to a decision, he’s unlikely to finally win a title. Selection: Vadim Nemkov by decision
Sergio Pettis (c) vs Patricio Pitbull: Pettis begins a five-fight win streak and is undefeated in his four Bellator fights. Still, it’s hard to look at the Horiguchi fight and believe that it was a good effort and not just a perfect shot since it was dominated. Add in the sacking and there are some legitimate questions about what Pettis will look like in the cage on Friday night. That’s not to say there aren’t any questions about Pitbull. He makes a big weight gain at 135 pounds. While he’s not a particularly big featherweight, he makes it just a month before his 36th birthday. Although he has gained 134.2 pounds, it is unknown what effect it will have on him in the cage. It might be a bigger problem against another top bantamweight, but Pettis has enough gaps in his game that Pitbull, with his ability to punch or take down the fight, should capitalize on to claim the win. Selection: Patricio Pitbull via TKO3