Yoel Romero's Legacy

Regardless of whether he wins tonight, I think Yoel Romero is the most skilled fighter in UFC history to not win a world title.

Consider this: he wouldn’t be a huge underdog if he bumped up to 205 to fight Daniel Cormier, one of the greatest fighters of all-time.

And then there are his wins. He has beaten essentially every top MW of his generation who doesn’t hail from Oceania: Weidman, Rockhold, Jacare, Machida, Kennedy, and Brunson.

Also, many if not most people think he beat Knuckles in the rematch.

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Unfortunately, no matter what he does, a big part of his legacy will be wondering what he could have accomplished if he started MMA at a younger age

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I feel privileged and thankful as a fan that he ever tried MMA and was such a success. Yoel has shown himself to be true World Champion caliber, it would be special to see him win the belt, he was a silver medalist and gold may elude him here again, but I don't think it will define him at all. He is always 1-2 wins away from a title shot.

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CRE - I feel privileged and thankful as a fan that he ever tried MMA and was such a success. Yoel has shown himself to be true World Champion caliber, it would be special to see him win the belt, he was a silver medalist and gold may elude him here again, but I don't think it will define him at all. He is always 1-2 wins away from a title shot.

I agree. Watching his career has been a privilege.

He and DC have so much in common as far as their athletic and MMA careers go. Both have histories with Cael Sanderson. Both were internationally regarded as among the best in their weight class for many years. Hell, both guys have struggled with their weights.

They both get into MMA very late. I think that is part of the reason their chins are so amazing. Despite the late entry, they become two of the most skilled fighters ever.

Yoel has his win over Cael. DC has a world title. Both are all-time greats who have made the sport better by entering it.

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Yoel has won a lot of gold at the World's. Weird that people just focus on the Olympics. Sure that's THE biggest stage but it doesn't discredit the rest.

Hopefully he gets on last shot at UFC gold before Father Time submits him.

wiggum - 
CRE - I feel privileged and thankful as a fan that he ever tried MMA and was such a success. Yoel has shown himself to be true World Champion caliber, it would be special to see him win the belt, he was a silver medalist and gold may elude him here again, but I don't think it will define him at all. He is always 1-2 wins away from a title shot.

I agree. Watching his career has been a privilege.

He and DC have so much in common as far as their athletic and MMA careers go. Both have histories with Cael Sanderson. Both were internationally regarded as among the best in their weight class for many years. Hell, both guys have struggled with their weights.

They both get into MMA very late. I think that is part of the reason their chins are so amazing. Despite the late entry, they become two of the most skilled fighters ever.

Yoel has his win over Cael. DC has a world title. Both are all-time greats who have made the sport better by entering it.

Well put. Hopefully some of the Spanish speaking latin fighters can do commentary after they retire too.

Sprawl'n'Stall - Yoel has won a lot of gold at the World's. Weird that people just focus on the Olympics. Sure that's THE biggest stage but it doesn't discredit the rest.

Hopefully he gets on last shot at UFC gold before Father Time submits him.

You’re right. He has one gold, I believe. It should be focused on. It’s not quite at the level as an Olympic gold, but it’s essentially a distinction without a difference. I also think his Olympic silver was when he lost to Adam Satiev in a great match.

When I said world title, I meant MMA world title. I should have added Yoel’s world to my post.

Eating out a prostitute after a session in a sauna

...

Purpose - Eating out a prostitute after a session in a sauna

Steamed fish.

bootysweat -

Unfortunately, no matter what he does, a big part of his legacy will be wondering what he could have accomplished if he started MMA at a younger age

There are plenty of other things people will wonder about

big fan. jacked beyond belief and fast and agile and explosive. he is like a silverback that moves like a tiger. its always a pleasure to see him compete.  

CRE - I feel privileged and thankful as a fan that he ever tried MMA and was such a success. Yoel has shown himself to be true World Champion caliber, it would be special to see him win the belt, he was a silver medalist and gold may elude him here again, but I don't think it will define him at all. He is always 1-2 wins away from a title shot.

Agree with this. Also disagree with the argument that a fighter is somehow lacking if they never win the title. There are over 600 fighters in the UFC. 590 can't all be questionable because only 10 are titleholders. CRE is 100% correct. Fight fans should consider it an honor to watch an in prime Yoel Romero fight. This is one of the true legendary fighters in MMA with credentials that even Daniel Cormier couldn't match. If he ever wins the title, awesome! But if he doesn't, it doesn't diminish his greatness.

ttt.

Another great fight. Another bad decision (IMO). Romero is a gift.

Oh, and more weirdness with him sticking his damn tongue out.

Will not miss a Romero fight. He really should have had UFC gold though with the second Bobby Knux fight, imo.

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He's my favorite active fighter.

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Missed the Costa fight but seemed that, like DC, they could have went to their wrestling to make the difference.

Seems Yoel’s style is a bit too wing it when a bit more structure could help? Normally, his explosions are almost enough to do it - he was apparently close with Costa and of course with Whittaker but - seems like a bit more, I dunno, measured strategy and not waiting for the explosions could have helped?

Of course, the question of ‘what if he started earlier?’ will always persist. Is he the best to not win a title? Maybe…he arguably won the 2nd Whittaker fight and had that weirdness of the AC stopping his weight cut short.

I have to watch the fight but thought his wrestling would have come into use when Paulo pushed forward to pressure?

Wasa-B - Missed the Costa fight but seemed that, like DC, they could have went to their wrestling to make the difference.

Seems Yoel’s style is a bit too wing it when a bit more structure could help? Normally, his explosions are almost enough to do it - he was apparently close with Costa and of course with Whittaker but - seems like a bit more, I dunno, measured strategy and not waiting for the explosions could have helped?

Of course, the question of ‘what if he started earlier?’ will always persist. Is he the best to not win a title? Maybe…he arguably won the 2nd Whittaker fight and had that weirdness of the AC stopping his weight cut short.

I have to watch the fight but thought his wrestling would have come into use when Paulo pushed forward to pressure?

I scored the fight for him FWIW.

It’s hard to tell a guy who is winning to do something that is harder than their current strategy.

He won his last 2 fights and should be champ. He didn't miss a step though. Still fast and strong as hell. I actually think he is still getting better at 42!

He deserves that title so much I would hate to see him go without it.

Last night was amazing. Yoel and Diaz are two of my favourite fighters. That was a true PPV.