Yoel Romero-Melvin Manhoef Co-Main Among Trio of Additions to Bellator Paris

Light Heavyweight Bout Featuring Yoel Romero Against Melvin Manhoef Added to @BELLATORMMA's Return to Paris on May 6https://t.co/OAgR5ViRld

— Bellator Public Relations (@BellatorPR) February 10, 2022

The combined age of this newly announced Bellator MMA co-headliner will be a few days shy of 91.

The organization released the news of three bouts on Thursday for its Bellator Paris showcase on May 6 at the Accor Arena in Paris, with venerable vets taking the stage in the co-main event. While Ryan Bader vs. Cheick Kongo 2 – a total of 84 years of age – will claim the marquee spot for the heavyweight strap, light heavyweights will hit the cage immediately before them. Yoel Romero (13-6) will return to the promotion for his sophomore appearance against the well-traveled Melvin Manhoef (32-15-1, 2 NC).

Former Ultimate Fighting Championship title challenger Romero left the UFC on a three-fight skid, with decision losses to Robert Whittaker, Paulo Costa and Israel Adesanya spelling his release. His debut under the Bellator banner came in 2021, over 18 months after his last UFC bout, and he dropped a split decision to Phil Davis and claimed he was unaware that they were only fighting for three rounds and not five. “Soldier of God” comes into this 205-pound rumble with a career knockout rate of 85%.

Manhoef fell short in his last appearance to Corey Anderson back in late 2020, succumbing to elbows at around the midpoint of Round 2. That loss cut short a win streak of two in a row for “No Mercy,” who claimed a rare decision verdict over Kent Kauppinen and then knocked Yannick Bahati out. As a pro, Manhoef’s own win rate by knockout eclipses his opponent's, clocking in at 91%. Neither he nor Romero has ever won a match by submission.

An additional pair of lightweight tilts will round out the main card, having been announced along with the Romero-Manhoef battle. Soren Bak (14-1) will put his seven-fight win streak on the line when he takes on Saul Rogers (15-4), while France’s Yves Landu (16-9) draws a tasty matchup against “Big Tasty” Gavin Hughes (10-2).