Is “The Soldier of God” Taking Over Dirty Boxing? Yoel Romero Could Become the Face of Mike Perry’s Fighting Promotion

MMA fans, hold onto your seats because the combat sports world might be getting even wilder. Cuban powerhouse Yoel Romero could soon become the new face of Dirty Boxing, the hybrid-rules promotion launched by BKFC star “Platinum” Mike Perry last year.

If you haven’t been following along, Dirty Boxing emerged in 2023 as Perry’s brainchild, featuring three-minute rounds and a unique ruleset that blends the best (or most brutal) elements of various combat sports. Now, it appears the 47-year-old Olympic silver medalist and former UFC title challenger might be stepping in as the promotion’s marquee attraction.

Romero and Dirty Boxing: A Perfect Match Made in Violence Heaven

When I first heard this potential pairing, I couldn’t help but think: this makes perfect sense. Romero’s explosive style, freakish athleticism (despite his age), and flair for the dramatic could inject immediate credibility into Perry’s fledgling promotion.

Let’s be honest – Yoel has always been something of a dirty boxer himself. Those devastating clinch elbows, the infamous “Tim Kennedy stool gate,” and his tendency to push the boundaries of the rulebook make him uniquely qualified to represent a promotion literally called “Dirty Boxing.”

Remember when he nearly decapitated Luke Rockhold? Or when he turned Chris Weidman into a human highlight reel? That’s exactly the kind of violence that Perry’s promotion promises to deliver.

What Is Dirty Boxing and Why Should You Care?

Perry’s hybrid-rules promotion features three-minute rounds in a unique format that allows for a wider range of striking techniques than traditional boxing. The shortened rounds are designed to encourage non-stop action and higher finishing rates – something both Perry and Romero are known for.

Unlike traditional boxing or even BKFC, Dirty Boxing permits certain clinch techniques and close-quarter fighting that would be broken up in other competitions. It’s essentially designed to showcase the most exciting and brutal aspects of combat sports.

Why Romero Makes Sense as the Face of Dirty Boxing

At 47, Romero is in the twilight of his career, but the man still possesses terrifying power and name recognition that few fighters can match. Since leaving the UFC, he’s competed in Bellator with mixed results, but his star power remains undeniable.

Here’s why this pairing works:

• Romero’s explosive style perfectly matches the promotion’s emphasis on highlight-reel moments
• His Olympic wrestling background gives him the clinch skills that dirty boxing celebrates
• Despite his age, he still looks like he was carved from granite
• His fan-friendly personality and “Soldier of God” persona create immediate marketability
• He brings legitimate combat sports credibility to a new promotion

Could This Breathe New Life Into Romero’s Career?

While Romero’s recent Bellator run hasn’t exactly set the world on fire, a move to Dirty Boxing could reinvigorate his career. The ruleset seems tailor-made for his explosive, unorthodox fighting style, potentially giving him a platform where his aging body could still deliver spectacular performances.

I’ve always thought traditional MMA rules sometimes constrained Romero’s most violent tendencies. In Dirty Boxing, those constraints would be significantly reduced. Scary thought, right?

What This Means for Mike Perry’s Promotional Venture

Landing someone of Romero’s caliber would be a massive win for Perry’s promotion. Despite being a relative newcomer to the promotional side of combat sports, “Platinum” has shown surprising business acumen in his post-UFC career.

His success in BKFC has transformed him from UFC mid-carder to legitimate combat sports star, and bringing in Romero would instantly elevate Dirty Boxing’s profile in the increasingly crowded combat sports landscape.

The question remains: can Perry build a sustainable promotion around aging stars like Romero, or will he need to develop new talent to create longevity? Time will tell, but securing “The Soldier of God” would be an impressive first step.

What’s Next for Dirty Boxing?

If Romero does indeed become the face of Dirty Boxing, expect announcements soon about potential matchups. The combat sports rumor mill suggests several other UFC veterans could be in talks to join the promotion as well.

For now, fight fans should keep their eyes peeled for official announcements. If the thought of Yoel Romero with even fewer rules to constrain him doesn’t get your blood pumping, I’m not sure what will.

Would you watch Romero in Dirty Boxing? And who would you like to see him face? Drop your thoughts in the comments below!

Source: Various combat sports news outlets and social media speculation. Official confirmation from Romero and Perry’s teams is still pending.