Yoel Romero has back-to-back wins on his record for the first time since 2016 after beating Melvin Manhoef in the Bellator 285 co-main event.
Romero (15-6 MMA, 2-1 BMMA) sent Manhoef (32-16-1 MMA, 4-5 BMMA) into retirement on a low note when he earned a third-round knockout victory in Friday’s light heavyweight co-headliner, which took place at 3Arena in Dublin.
“The Soldier of God” now puts himself in a prominent position in the company, and could be on the cusp of a title shot.
Check below for the top Twitter reactions to Romero’s victory over Manhoef at Bellator 285
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MMA Junkie
Up next at #Bellator285: Yoel Romero returns to action against Melvin Manhoef, who fights in his retirement bout.
Live results: https://t.co/iyUKhSpnx9 pic.twitter.com/OaQxslpIqw
— MMA Junkie (@MMAJunkie) September 23, 2022
Showtime
One final walk for @team_manhoef 🙌@BellatorMMA | #Bellator285 pic.twitter.com/Sa6cSRSfKS
— SHOWTIME SPORTS (@SHOsports) September 23, 2022
Peter Carroll
You’d swear the Yoel lad was from East Wall! pic.twitter.com/NaKgf53Q14
— Peter Carroll (@PetesyCarroll) September 23, 2022
RJ Clifford
Yoel Romero's hit list with only a 20-fight career is still rad. pic.twitter.com/vNopnxMfbf
— RJ Clifford (@RJcliffordMMA) September 23, 2022
Mike Bohn
45-year-old vs. 46-year-old. #Bellator285 pic.twitter.com/jVjUUjHAER
— Mike Bohn (@MikeBohn) September 23, 2022
Luke Thomas
Romero level changes like he's doing a Bulgarian split squat.
— Luke Thomas (@lthomasnews) September 23, 2022
Romero on top in half guard. He demolished Machida with elbows from this position.
— Luke Thomas (@lthomasnews) September 23, 2022
Dann Stupp
Would be hilarious if Manhoef closes out his career with some crazy submission from the bottom.
— Dann Stupp (@DannStupp) September 23, 2022
Danny Segura
I don't think I've ever seen this much intentional use of wrestling and control from Romero. Interesting to see this new wrinkle to his game. #Bellator285
— Danny Segura (@dannyseguratv) September 23, 2022
The Mac Life
Okay you probably could have blinked in that first round.
— The Mac Life (@TheMacLife) September 23, 2022
Danny Brener
Yoel Romero looks like he's wearing boxing gloves.
— (Danny) Brener.ETH (@DannyBrener) September 23, 2022
David Michaud
Has either guy landed 10 significant strikes yet?
— David Michaud (@bulldawg_170) September 23, 2022
Jed I Goodman
Now 15 fights. #Bellator285 https://t.co/krGc1OI5lh
— Jed I. Goodman © (@jedigoodman) September 23, 2022
Bellator
💥 @Team_Manhoef lands.#Bellator285 | 🇺🇸 @SHOSports | 🇬🇧 @BBCThree pic.twitter.com/v5p51MBne7
— BellatorMMA (@BellatorMMA) September 23, 2022
Bellator
Big takedown in Round 3 for @YoelRomeroMMA.#Bellator285 | 🇺🇸 @SHOSports | 🇬🇧 @BBCThree pic.twitter.com/ObALW31h6p
— BellatorMMA (@BellatorMMA) September 23, 2022
Bellator
𝗥𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗿𝗼 𝗦𝗠𝗔𝗦𝗛! 🔥
Devastating ground and pound from @YoelRomeroMMA to score a huge win in Dublin! 🇮🇪#Bellator285 | 🇺🇸 @SHOSports | 🇬🇧 @BBCThree pic.twitter.com/ATGkohqPNP
— BellatorMMA (@BellatorMMA) September 23, 2022
Luke Thomas
Romero polishes off Manhoef with GNP in the third. Bit a slow boil, but he was never in trouble once in the fight.
— Luke Thomas (@lthomasnews) September 23, 2022
Matheus Aquino
Fuck it. I don't care what the end result said, Melvin won by DQ. Yoel cheated with the takedown.
— Matheus Aquino (@MatheusDCAquino) September 23, 2022
Bellator
🫡 @YoelRomeroMMA gets the W at #Bellator285. pic.twitter.com/1arMGchIQD
— BellatorMMA (@BellatorMMA) September 23, 2022
Mike Bohn
Yoel Romero is still terrifying. #Bellator285 pic.twitter.com/sZPkig5jOa
— Mike Bohn (@MikeBohn) September 23, 2022
Bellator
#Bellator285 Official Result: @YoelRomeroMMA (15-6) def. Melvin Manhoef (14-7) by KO R3 3:34 pic.twitter.com/at5CzOsR3R
— Bellator Public Relations (@BellatorPR) September 23, 2022
Scott Coker
Melvin @Team_Manhoef, you are one of my favorite fighters ever and it has been an absolute honor to promote you. Thank you for all the great memories over the years #Bellator285
— Scott Coker (@ScottCoker) September 23, 2022
Ben Davis
My dog when it sees another dog pic.twitter.com/5VVq3n0bt7
— Ben Davis (@BenTheBaneDavis) September 23, 2022
MMA Junkie
Yoel Romero showed again that Round 3 is his best round when he elbow KO'd Melvin Manhoef into retirement at #Bellator285.
Full results: https://t.co/iyUKhSpVmHpic.twitter.com/OBib5IonEo
— MMA Junkie (@MMAJunkie) September 23, 2022
Bellator
Win, lose or draw, @Team_Manhoef always left it all in the cage 👏
Thank you, Melvin, for such an incredible career! #Bellator285 pic.twitter.com/pWDzUvnUAa
— BellatorMMA (@BellatorMMA) September 23, 2022
Abbey Subhan
Yoel Romero appreciation post. #Bellator285 pic.twitter.com/GCiZPO9kYY
— Abbey Subhan (@kammakaze) September 23, 2022
MMA Junkie
After making his MMA debut in 1995, Melvin Manhoef laid down the gloves and said farewell to fighting after his #Bellator285 loss to Yoel Romero.
Full story: https://t.co/v5e8kMv9Ks pic.twitter.com/q22P57CEDt
— MMA Junkie (@MMAJunkie) September 23, 2022
Johnny Eblen
Just another legend I can retire, nothing to see here 🫡 #Bellator285
— 𝕋𝕙𝕖ℍ𝕦𝕞𝕒𝕟ℂ𝕙𝕖𝕒𝕥ℂ𝕠𝕕𝕖 (@JohnnyEblen) September 23, 2022