Yoel Romero supports decision to review controversial bare-knuckle loss

Yoel
Romero believes only his opponent, Vagab
Vagabov, was happy with the outcome of their latest
bare-knuckle fight. 

Romero and Vagabov headlined IBA 4 in St. Petersburg, Russia, on
Saturday. Despite Romero scoring a knockdown, Vagabov was declared
the winner after five rounds. The crowd immediately expressed its
disagreement with the decision by raining down boos. 

IBA president Umar Kremlev has since announced that Romero’s loss
will now be reviewed under a special commission, and Vagabov might
have his win taken away. Romero supports IBA’s decision to review
the result, which he believes only satisfied Vagabov and his team.
Romero says that reviewing the fight is the right way to protect
the image of IBA.

Protecting the Image of the Company

“About the decision, about the fight, nobody stay happy,” Romero
told Red Corner MMA. “I think the only people who stay happy about
the decision is my opponent and his team. The president is making
the right choice with that, that’s protecting the image of the
company and not tainting their legacy and the sport.” 

Romero (16-7) has been competing in Dirty Boxing, bare-knuckle, and
wrestling since he retired from MMA. The 48-year-old was coming off
a wrestling loss against Stephen Buchanan.