Yoel Romero Announces ‘Shogun’ Rua Out, Gegard Mousasi In For GFL Fight On June 22

It appears that evidently former UFC title challenger Yoel Romero has a brand new goal in his sights for this 12 months’s World Battle League launch.

After years of preparation, the GFL is predicted to stage occasions for the primary time this 12 months, because the promotion appears to reach the combat sport with a team-based format and season construction. The group initially claimed that 15 playing cards are deliberate up till August, after which two playoff occasions and one closing will happen earlier than the 12 months’s finish. 

Following the discharge of the six metropolis groups, in addition to a supervisor and head coach for every, 120 fighters had been picked as a part of the inaugural draft towards the beginning of 2025. And whereas little is thought about dates and venues for the primary occasions, which had been initially slated for April, the matchups have begun to roll out.

Among the many first to emerge was a conflict between Crew Miami’s Romero and fellow former UFC veteran Mauricio “Shogun” Rua, of Crew São Paulo. That bout, nonetheless, appears to be no extra.

Throughout a current look on Submission Radio, Romero introduced that his combat with Rua is off and he’ll as a substitute collide with Crew London’s Gegard Mousasi. “Soldier of God” additionally revealed a date and placement for the conflict.

“(Rua’s) out, he’s out. And now, I moved for middleweight once more and I’m preventing Gegard Mousasi,” Romero mentioned. “That’s occurring June 22 in New York. That’s the combat that’s coming for me. I don’t know what occurred with ‘Shogun,’ however my supervisor referred to as me final week. … I mentioned, ‘Okay, stunning, I’m prepared.’

“For me, each guys are legends. I’ve superb respect, large respect for each guys,” Romero continued. “Each have an excellent historical past in MMA. For me, it’s a nice honor to combat now Gegard. However I (was) very excited when the individuals mentioned ‘Shogun.’ … It is a medal for me. As a result of once I end in my profession, I’d say, ‘I fought with that man.’”

First-round matchups happening in June would seemingly disrupt the GFL’s authentic plan of 15 occasions up till August. And with March coming to its finish, the aim of April playing cards additionally seems to have been scrapped.

The legitimacy of the brand new group has additionally been introduced into query on account of quite a lot of pretend bulletins. Each Rashad Evans and Jeremy Stephens had been drafted in January however have since rejected claims they signed contracts. “Lil Heathen” has now re-signed with the UFC as a substitute.

Whereas 48 years outdated, the sport doesn’t seem to have left Yoel Romero as of but. Since a loss in his Bellator debut, the Cuban has gained three out of 4 fights within the cage, most just lately defeating fellow former UFC title challenger Thiago Santos beneath the PFL banner final February.

He’s presently days away from returning to motion beneath the banner of Mike Perry’s Soiled Boxing Championship this weekend.

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