Yoel Romero’sBellator debut has been booked, again, and this time around it could be argued the competition has gotten tougher.

The Ariel Helwani Substack was first to break the news that Romero will make his long-awaited Bellator debut against former light heavyweight champion Phil Davis, at the promotion’s September return to San Jose, California.

Yoel Romero vs Phil Davis set for Bellator’s San Jose return

The former multi-time Ultimate Fighting Championship middleweight title contender was originally set to begin his run in the promotion at Bellator 258 in May. The Cuban was set to be one of eight entrants in Bellator’s light heavyweight Grand Prix and was scheduled to face a fellow UFC vet in Anthony Johnson in the opening round. However, the 44-year-old was unable to clear medical exams in the lead-up to the bout and was removed from the card.

Yesterday, MMAJunkie reported that the former Olympian was recently cleared to resume his career. Now, the ageless talent has a date for his first matchup in the post-UFC portion of his fighting legacy.

Davis (22-6) is a former Bellator 205-pound champion who competed for the crown once again this past April against current division king Vadim Nemkov. The matchup was also an opening round bout in the Grand Prix that the Russian won by unanimous decision. The loss ended a three-fight win streak for “Mr. Wonderful.” The streak is bookended by another loss to Nemkov in November of 2018.

Romero (13-5) has not fought since his May 2020 unanimous decision loss to reigning UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya. It was the third time “Soldier of God” had competed for the division’s championship. Having previously contested for the belt against Robert Whittaker on two other occasions. He is also in the midst of a three-fight losing skid and has not scored a victory since a knockout win over Luke Rockhold over three years ago.