Once again, Bellator is making a return to the vibrant city of Chicago for the second consecutive year, and they’re bringing along an exciting lineup of fights.
If you’re eager to catch Bellator 297 in Chicago and want to know how to watch it, here’s everything you need to know about the complete lineup and the most highly anticipated fights.
Bellator MMA 297: Broadcast and streaming info
Bellator 297 takes place Friday at Wintrust Arena in Chicago. The prelims stream on Bellator’s YouTube channel at 6 p.m. ET. The main card airs on Showtime at 9 p.m. ET.
Bellator is set to bring a thrilling night of fights to Chicago on Friday, featuring an impressive card headlined by two championship bouts. The main event will showcase Vadim Nemkov defending his light heavyweight championship against Yoel Romero. However, it’s the co-main event that has generated significant buzz leading up to Bellator 297.
In the co-main event, former lightweight and current three-time featherweight champion, Patricio Pitbull, will be vying to make history by capturing Bellator gold in a third weight class. His opponent will be bantamweight champion Sergio Pettis.
Pettis earned the title with a decision victory over Juan Archuleta in May 2021. In his first title defense against Kyoji Horiguchi that December, Pettis found himself challenged by the favored Horiguchi. However, in a stunning turn of events, Pettis secured a late knockout victory with a spinning backfist, successfully retaining his championship.
Following that remarkable win, Pettis was scheduled to defend his title in the Bellator Bantamweight World Grand Prix against Raufeon Stots in the tournament’s first round. Unfortunately, an injury prevented Pettis from competing, placing him on the sidelines temporarily.
Bellator 297: Full Fight Card
Bellator 297 main card (Showtime, 9 p.m. ET)
- Vadim Nemkov vs. Yoel Romero; For Nemkov’s Bellator light heavyweight title
- Sergio Pettis vs. Patricio Pitbull; For Pettis’ Bellator bantamweight title
- Corey Anderson vs. Phil Davis; Light heavyweight
- Daniel James vs. Gokhan Saricam; Heavyweight
Prelims
- Kyle Crutchmer vs. Bobby Nash; Welterweight
- Gadzhi Rabadanov vs. Pieter Buist; Lightweight
- Jaleel Willis vs. Ramazan Kuramagomedov; Welterweight
- Karl Moore vs. Alex Polizzi; Light heavyweight
- Wladmir Gouvea vs. Gabriel Sayeg; Heavyweight
- Archie Colgan vs. Emmanuel Sanchez; Lightweight
- Mike Hamel vs. Shamil Nikaev; Lightweight
- Norbert Novenyi Jr vs. Kamil Oniszczuk; Middleweight
- Timur Khizriev vs. Richie Smullen; Featherweight
- Jordan Newman vs. Matthew Perry; Middleweight
- Cody Law vs. Edwin Chavez; Featherweight
- Max Metzgar vs. David McKinney; Lightweight
How to watch Bellator 297: Vadim Nemkov vs. Yoel Romero
| Region | TV channel | Live streaming |
| USA | Showtime | YouTube, Live Link |
| Canada | Bellator.com | |
| UK and Ireland | BBC iPlayer, Virgin Media | |
| Australia | 10 Play |