Former Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) title challenger-turned bare-knuckle bruiser Yoel Romero was expected to compete at BKFC KnuckleMania 6 this weekend (Sat., Feb. 7, 2026) opposite Lorenzo Hunt, but the bout fell apart weeks ago after Romero withdrew, citing illness. Turns out, that may not have been the full story. Romero is now booked to […]
Former Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) title challenger-turned bare-knuckle bruiser Yoel Romero was expected to compete at BKFC KnuckleMania 6 this weekend (Sat., Feb. 7, 2026) opposite Lorenzo Hunt, but the bout fell apart weeks ago after Romero withdrew, citing illness.
Turns out, that may not have been the full story.
Romero is now booked to headline IBA Bare Knuckle 4 against Russia’s Vagab Vagabov on March 28, 2026, inside KSK Arena in Saint Petersburg, Russia … a completely different bare-knuckle promotion.
Romero signed the contract just days ago, officially moving on from his planned BKFC appearance.
Since his release from the UFC in late 2020, the Cuban powerhouse has stayed busy across multiple combat sports platforms, competing five times between Bellator MMA and PFL before transitioning to Dirty Boxing, where he steamrolled two opponents in violent fashion (watch highlights). Romero has only fought once in true bare-knuckle competition, but it was one-way traffic, as he overwhelmed Theo Daukaus in two rounds (watch highlights).
Vagabov, however, is no easy assignment. The Russian standout owns a 30-1-1 MMA record and has spent recent years focusing on boxing, compiling a 3-1 record with three knockouts. While this appears to be his first bare-knuckle bout, his power and experience make him a dangerous test.
Still… good luck with that.
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Category: General Sports
