If the way Yoel Romero sent Melvin Manhoef into retirement wasn’t already scary enough, a new alternate angle of Romero’s handiwork shows just how violent the finish really was.
“The Solider of God” demolished Manhoef in brutal fashion Friday in Bellator Dublin’s co-main event, stopping the longtime veteran with a flurry of ground-and-pound punches and elbows from the top position at 3:34 of the third round. It was an unfortunate way for Manhoef to end a career that spanned nearly three decades, as replays showed the 46-year-old already unconscious before sustaining several more hard elbows to the head from Romero prior to referee Kerry Hatley jumping in and stopping the contest.
These final shots are even more intense when viewed from an alternate angle that Showtime Sports published over the weekend. You can watch it below.
@YoelRomeroMMA captivated The @3ArenaDublin with this brutal KO. This is an alternative view of the stoppage. #Bellator285 pic.twitter.com/Rr56qz3qSe
— BellatorMMA (@BellatorMMA) September 25, 2022
“I didn’t want to fight a nobody,” Manhoef said after his loss. “I wanted to fight names, and I did the best that I could. For 28 years, I’m doing this, this is what I love, and I appreciate all the support that you gave me. But today, I think I have to hang up the gloves after 28 years of fighting. Thank you for your support. You make my life so great and allow me to feel alive
In the aftermath of Bellator Dublin, the 45-year-old Romero told reporters that his main objective now is drop back down to 185 pounds and challenge for the Bellator middleweight title, which is currently held by undefeated ATT product Johnny Eblen.
