The highly anticipated Bellator Light Heavyweight World Grand Prix opening round matchup between Yoel Romero and Anthony Johnson is off.
MMA Fighting confirmed with Bellator officials and Romero’s management that Romero has been forced to withdraw not just from his co-main event bout with Johnson at Bellator 258 on May 7, but from the light heavyweight tournament altogether after he did not clear pre-fight medical testing. The news was first reported by CBS Sports.
Bellator 258 was to mark the promotional debuts of both Romero and Johnson, two longtime UFC contenders at middleweight and light heavyweight, respectively, that signed with Bellator in December 2020.