Yoel Romero to Face Vagab Vagabov in Bare Knuckle Bout

Legendary Cuban fighter Yoel Romero will face Russia’s Vagab Vagabov in the main event of IBA Bare Knuckle 4, scheduled for March 28 at the KSK Arena in St. Petersburg, Russia. Tapology reports the bout will take place under bare-knuckle competition rules and is scheduled for five rounds of two minutes.

Romero’s Transition to Bare Knuckle Boxing

Romero, 48, a former three-time UFC middleweight title challenger and a highly recognizable figure in combat sports, continues his career in the IBA bare-knuckle circuit. Pro-Fights.com notes that Romero has competed in multiple promotions following his time in the UFC and Bellator, including Dirty Boxing and BKFC, where he achieved notable victories.

Throughout his mixed martial arts career, Romero has a record of 16 wins in 23 fights.

Vagabov’s Recent Success

Vagab Vagabov enters the fight with considerable momentum. The Russian fighter boasts a professional record of 24 wins, one loss, and one draw. He recently secured a first-round knockout victory at RCC Fair Fight, as reported by Pro-Fights.com.

Co-Main Event: Musaev vs. Ziyaev Rematch

The co-main event will feature a championship rematch between Timur Musaev (“Zolotoy”) and Iskandar Ziyaev (“Chef”). Musaev, the reigning HFC champion with a professional record of 17-1-1, aims to avenge a previous defeat.

The two fighters first clashed in February 2021 at TOP DOG FC 7, where Ziyaev defeated Musaev by knockout in the first round. This rematch will be contested for the championship title.

Additional Bouts on the Card

The event features several other intriguing matchups. Marat Isaev will face Alexander Khoronzhenko, whereas Usman “Strannik” Magomedov will battle Anatoly “Siberian Conor” Nadratovsky.

A cross-promotion bout will see Vitaliy “Ancient” Starykh, a TOP DOG title contender, take on HFC champion Abubakar “Cross” Suleimanov. A regional rivalry will also be on display as Eduard “Teddy” Kuzminov (Moscow) faces Danila “Gatti” Chizhov (St. Petersburg).

International Representation and Special Guest Appearance

The event will showcase fighters from various countries, including Iran, Spain, and Cuba, highlighting the growing international appeal of the IBA bare-knuckle scene.

Adding to the event’s prestige, UFC legend Jon Jones will be in attendance as a special guest and co-host, as seen in a pre-fight faceoff on YouTube. Jones’ presence underscores the increasing attention the bare-knuckle combat sports scene is receiving from the global MMA community.