Yoel Romero is free to take his business elsewhere other than UFC for the first time in seven years.
Romero's unexpected release was first reported by ESPN and subsequently confirmed by his manager Malki Kawa. "The Solider of God" is on the first losing streak of his career after dropping consecutive fights to Israel Adesanya, Paulo Costa and Robert Whittaker.
My clients time in the @ufc has come to an end. Want to personally thank @Mickmaynard2 @danawhite and Hunter Campbell for everything. https://t.co/upmhfQUzvv
— malki kawa (@malkikawa) December 5, 2020
"[Romero] is ready to move on now and resume his career," Kawa told MMA Fighting. "And we are already talking to other promotions as we speak."
Romero has contended for the UFC middleweight championship on four separate occasions, including one interim title; however, he missed weight on two occasions and was ineligible to win the title in those instances. The Cuban Olympic silver medalist spent seven years with the promotion. He scored explosive knockouts over Luke Rockhold, Chris Weidman, Lyoto Machida, Tim Kennedy and Derek Brunson. He also holds a split decision win over Ronaldo "Jacare" Souza. He has not fought since a lackluster unanimous decision loss to UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya at UFC 248 in March.
Now that Romero's manager has confirmed plans for the Cuban fighter to continue competing, fans can speculate as to where he will sign.
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