CHICAGO — Forward of Friday evening’s BELLATOR 297: Nemkov vs. Romero occasion on the Wintrust Enviornment in Chicago, a number of of the cardboard’s high-profile rivals addressed the assembled media. All 4 of the headlining title bouts’ contributors took the dais, as did No. 5-ranked gentle heavyweight Alex Polizzi, No. 8-ranked gentle heavyweight Karl Moore, No. 8-ranked featherweight Timur Khizriev, No. 10-ranked light-weight Archie Colgan, and prime prospects Norbert Novenyi Jr. and Richie Smullen.
The large occasion airs reside this Friday, June 16 on SHOWTIME starting at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. ET.
Vadim Nemkov — BELLATOR Gentle Heavyweight World Champion
On opponent Yoel Romero: “We each can wrestle, and we each can strike. I watched the final couple of fights of his, and I do know myself, so I don’t anticipate lots of wrestling. Because it’s a really severe opponent and for 5 rounds, I’m hoping to complete it earlier. However I’m prepared for 5 rounds.”
On persevering with Fedor Emelianenko’s legacy: “I need to proceed Fedor’s legacy as a result of we’re each from Stary Oskol. I need to proceed his legacy and the success of his college students. Hopefully, I’ll proceed to be a very good scholar and stay champion.”
On his battle with Romero being rescheduled from Fedor’s retirement battle:”I used to be capable of assist Fedor and Anatoly, so it was a little bit simpler for me. If the battle hadn’t occurred so near my earlier battle, I’d have been glad to share the cardboard with him, however I used to be glad to be in his nook as an alternative. However this card might be as thrilling as that card; it’s a nice occasion.”
“I do know who the co-main occasion is. It’s going to be Sergio Pettis and Patricio Pitbull. I’ve fought on the identical card as Pitbull earlier than, so due to that, I’m most likely going to go together with Pitbull. At that particular second, the co-main occasion, I’m going to be preparing and warming up for my battle. But when I’ve a second, I’ll attempt to watch that battle.”
“I like Chicago. The followers over listed below are very good, and it’s a lovely metropolis. So, I like to battle right here.”
BELLATOR 297: NEMKOV VS. ROMERO FIGHT CARD:
MAIN CARD (SHOWTIME, Friday, June 16 — 9 p.m. ET / 8 p.m. CT / 6 p.m. PT):
Gentle Heavyweight World Title Bout: C-Vadim Nemkov (16-2) vs. #3-Yoel Romero (15-6)
Bantamweight World Title Bout: C-Sergio Pettis (22-5) vs. C-Patricio “Pitbull” (35-5)
Gentle Heavyweight Bout: #1-Corey Anderson (16-6) vs. #2-Phil Davis (24-6)
Heavyweight Bout: #4-Daniel James (15-6-1) vs. #10-Gokhan Sarica
PRELIMINARY CARD (FightBok MMA, Friday, June 16 — 6 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. / 3 p.m. PT)
Heavyweight Bout: Wladmir Gouvea (1-0) vs. Gabriel Sayeg (1-1)
Welterweight Bout: Kyle Crutchmer (9-2) vs. Bobby Nash (12-4)
Light-weight Bout: #9-Gadzhi Rabadanov (19-4-1) vs. Pieter Buist (17-6)
Welterweight Bout: Jaleel Willis (16-4) vs. Ramazan Kuramagomedov (10-0)
Light-weight Bout: Mike Hamel (10-5) vs. Shamil Nikaev (10-0, 1 NC)
Middleweight Bout: Norbert Novenyi Jr. (6-0) vs. Kamil Oniszczuk (9-2)
Light-weight Bout: #10-Archie Colgan (7-0) vs. Emmanuel Sanchez (20-8)
Gentle Heavyweight Bout: #5-Alex Polizzi (10-2) vs. #8-Karl Moore (11-2)
Featherweight Bout: #8-Timur Khizriev (12-0) vs. Richie Smullen (10-2-1)
Middleweight Bout: Jordan Newman (5-0) vs. Matthew Perry (5-3)
Featherweight Bout: Cody Legislation (6-2) vs. Edwin Chavez (6-4)
Roberto Villa is the CEO, Founder, Government Author, Senior Editor of FightBook MMA. Has a ardour for Fight Sports activities and in addition a podcast host for Sitting Ringside. He’s additionally a former MMA fighter and Kickboxer.
