Bellator 297 weigh-in results: Patricio Freire lighter…

Bellator 297 weigh-in results: Patricio Freire lighter than necessary for bantamweight debut

CHICAGO – MMA Junkie was on scene at Friday’s official Bellator 297 fighter weigh-ins, which took place at the Bellator host hotel in Chicago.

The nearby Wintrust Arena hosts Friday’s event, which has a main card on Showtime following prelims on MMA Junkie.

Among those who weighed in were light heavyweight champion Vadim Nemkov (16-2 MMA, 8-0 BMMA) and challenger Yoel Romero (15-6 MMA, 2-1 BMMA), who meet in the main event. Both fighters made weight. Nemkov was first of all the fighters to take the scale and weighed 203.8. Minutes later, Romero weighed 205 with a towel, which created a comedic moment with Bellator fighter operations’ Burt Watson.

.@YoelRomeroMMA made weight, but he needed he towel… much to the dismay of the legendary @BurtWatson4real. 🤣#Bellator297 | https://t.co/Mul9RncYdk pic.twitter.com/Yp3Cc1ycH5

— MMA Junkie (@MMAJunkie) June 15, 2023

Bantamweight champ Sergio Pettis (22-5 MMA, 4-0 BMMA) and featherweight titleholder Patricio Freire (35-5 MMA, 23-5 BMMA), who is trying for Bellator history with a title in a third division, also took to the scales.

Much buzz was made about Freire’s move to bantamweight, but Friday he proved any doubters wrong when he came in lighter than needed – at 134.2 pounds. Pettis affirmed his reputation as a professional when he came in even lighter, at 134 pounds.

BANTAMWEIGHT WEIGHT MADE. @PatricioPitbull and his "trainer" flex after success on the scales. Triple champ incoming? 💪https://t.co/Mul9RncYdk pic.twitter.com/qj1b4UwKbQ

— MMA Junkie (@MMAJunkie) June 15, 2023

The weigh-ins were rapid-fire to start, as 29 athletes weighed in during the first 15 minutes of the one-hour window. Welterweight Jaleel Willis (16-4 MMA, 4-2 BMMA) was the lone fighter outside of the initial burst, but he made 171 with the towel.

The full Bellator 297 weigh-in results include:

MAIN CARD (Showtime (9 p.m. ET)