Bellator 297 Results: Vadim Nemkov Decimates Yoel Romero, Sergio Pettis Fends Off Pitbull

UPDATE: Technical difficulties pushed the preliminary card broadcast back to 6:50 p.m. ET.
UPDATE #2: Bellator 297 has concluded. You can see full results and video highlights from both title fights below.
It's time for Bellator 297.
Tonight's event is being held inside the Wintrust Arena in Chicago, Illinois. In the main event, Vadim Nemkov will put the Bellator Light Heavyweight Championship at stake against Yoel Romero.
In the co-main event, Patricio "Pitbull" Freire will attempt to win Bellator gold in a third weight class. He'll challenge Sergio Pettis for the Bellator Bantamweight Championship.
Also featured on the main card will be another pivotal light heavyweight clash. Top title contender Corey Anderson will meet former Bellator champion Phil Davis. Getting things started on the Showtime portion of Bellator 297 will be a heavyweight battle between Daniel James and Gokhan Saricam.
VIDEO: UNDEFEATED SOUTH AFRICAN MMA FIGHTER BODIES OPPONENT IN LESS THAN A MINUTE
If you want to catch the main card of Bellator 297 in the United States, you'll need to have access to Showtime. While the Showtime airing begins at 9 p.m. ET, we've got you covered with the prelims, which is tentatively set to begin at 5:55 p.m. ET. You can catch a live stream of the Bellator 297 prelims above.
Keep refreshing this page for live Bellator 297 results below.
The first big move of the fight! 👀
— Bellator MMA (@BellatorMMA) June 17, 2023
A takedown from @PatricioPitbull against the champion.#Bellator297 LIVE NOW:
🇺🇸 @SHOsports / 🇧🇷 @combate
🌍 Find out how to watch ▶️ https://t.co/jPjMHzLhCd pic.twitter.com/5IAkb59Nac
The champ @sergiopettis lands a slick combo! 👊#Bellator297 LIVE NOW:
— Bellator MMA (@BellatorMMA) June 17, 2023
🇺🇸 @SHOsports / 🇧🇷 @combate
🌍 Find out how to watch ▶️ https://t.co/jPjMHzLhCd pic.twitter.com/3XJTqMUApY
👀 @sergiopettis hurts @PatricioPitbull with the spinning wheel kick! #Bellator297 LIVE NOW:
— Bellator MMA (@BellatorMMA) June 17, 2023
🇺🇸 @SHOsports / 🇧🇷 @combate
🌍 Find out how to watch ▶️ https://t.co/jPjMHzLhCd pic.twitter.com/bqRiA0feWc
The champion coming into his element. 💥@sergiopettis lands a well-timed combo on @PatricioPitbull.#Bellator297 LIVE NOW:
— Bellator MMA (@BellatorMMA) June 17, 2023
🇺🇸 @SHOsports / 🇧🇷 @combate
🌍 Find out how to watch ▶️ https://t.co/jPjMHzLhCd pic.twitter.com/9W9rfei0bl
Much needed moment for @PatricioPitbull.#Bellator297 LIVE NOW:
— Bellator MMA (@BellatorMMA) June 17, 2023
🇺🇸 @SHOsports / 🇧🇷 @combate
🌍 Find out how to watch ▶️ https://t.co/jPjMHzLhCd pic.twitter.com/g1zbPUJHuS
👀 @PatricioPitbull looks to take down @sergiopettis but the champ shakes him off.#Bellator297 LIVE NOW:
— Bellator MMA (@BellatorMMA) June 17, 2023
🇺🇸 @SHOsports / 🇧🇷 @combate
🌍 Find out how to watch ▶️ https://t.co/jPjMHzLhCd pic.twitter.com/gdCQGsYIgC
Switch kick followed by a front kick. Is @sergiopettis getting closer to a finish? 😳 #Bellator297 LIVE NOW:
— Bellator MMA (@BellatorMMA) June 17, 2023
🇺🇸 @SHOsports / 🇧🇷 @combate
🌍 Find out how to watch ▶️ https://t.co/jPjMHzLhCd pic.twitter.com/Bq79i7e8Tu
This fight is going to be INSANE! 🔥
— Bellator MMA (@BellatorMMA) June 17, 2023
Early predictions for @sergiopettis vs. @TeamMixMMA? 👀#Bellator297 | LIVE NOW | @SHOsports 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/2jdmE3F9Hv
The champ Vadim Nemkov landing shots early on!#Bellator297 | LIVE NOW | @SHOsports 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/Wb4CeDOPbR
— Bellator MMA (@BellatorMMA) June 17, 2023
It was the LHW champ Nemkov who looked the more promising in round 1.#Bellator297 | LIVE NOW | @SHOsports 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/E4aok5qPYi
— Bellator MMA (@BellatorMMA) June 17, 2023
👊 Vadim Nemkov landing some excellent strikes!#Bellator297 | LIVE NOW | @SHOsports 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/wKLYi03mpX
— Bellator MMA (@BellatorMMA) June 17, 2023
The champ controlling the fight! Another strong round for Vadim Nemkov in Chicago. 👊#Bellator297 | LIVE NOW | @SHOsports 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/CDFBRxPfVh
— Bellator MMA (@BellatorMMA) June 17, 2023
Vadim Nemkov unleashing shots on @YoelRomeroMMA! 😳#Bellator297 | LIVE NOW | @SHOsports 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/B4sAZwafcb
— Bellator MMA (@BellatorMMA) June 17, 2023
Interesting tactic from @YoelRomeroMMA 👀#Bellator297 | LIVE NOW | @SHOsports 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/q9rROjPdMm
— Bellator MMA (@BellatorMMA) June 17, 2023
😱 @YoelRomeroMMA hurts Nemkov!#Bellator297 | LIVE NOW | @SHOsports 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/Did1CkbApS
— Bellator MMA (@BellatorMMA) June 17, 2023
WHAT A ROUND!#Bellator297 | LIVE NOW | @SHOsports 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/CCpOecEorh
— Bellator MMA (@BellatorMMA) June 17, 2023
That superman from @YoelRomeroMMA was 🤌#Bellator297 | LIVE NOW | @SHOsports 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/MWE78bYLfS
— Bellator MMA (@BellatorMMA) June 17, 2023
Takedown from @YoelRomeroMMA!#Bellator297 | LIVE NOW | @SHOsports 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/nI4NNMfjG1
— Bellator MMA (@BellatorMMA) June 17, 2023
Main Card (Showtime, 9 p.m. ET)
- Vadim Nemkov (c) def. Yoel Romero via unanimous decision (49-46, 49-46, 49-46) - retains Bellator Light Heavyweight Championship
- Sergio Pettis (c) def. Patricio Pitbull via unanimous decision (49-46, 50-45, 50-45) - retains Bellator Bantamweight Championship
- Corey Anderson def. Phil Davis via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
- Gokhan Saricam def. Daniel James via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Prelims (MMA Knockout, 5:55 p.m. ET)
- Gadzhi Rabadanov def. Pieter Buist via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
- Ramazan Kuramagomedov def. Jaleel Willis via KO (knee) - R1, 0:24
- Norbert Novenyi Jr. def. Kamil Oniszczuk via KO (punches) - R1, 0:46
- Archie Colgan def. Emmanuel Sanchez via unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)
- Jordan Newman def. Matthew Perry via submission (Americana) - R1, 4:20
- Cody Law def. Edwin Chavez via unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)
READ MORE: SEAN O'MALLEY VOUCHES FOR CONOR MCGREGOR VS. CHARLES OLIVEIRA: "I'M ALL FOR IT"
Stick with MMA Knockout for more daily coverage of the UFC and MMA
Follow MMA Knockout on Twitter and Facebook.

Fernando has over a decade of combat sports news writing experience. He currently covers MMA, boxing, and pro wrestling. Fernando joined MMA Knockout as the Lead Writer/Editor when it was founded in 2023.