UFC Fight Night 31's Yoel Romero, 36, says age not an issue

FORT CAMPBELL – Yoel Romero has steamrolled yet another opponent, but just how far can the 36-year-old heavy-handed Olympian go in MMA? When will Father Time catch up to him?

Not any time soon, he said.

Romero (6-1 MMA, 2-0 UFC), who picked up his sixth knockout in six career wins after crushing fellow middleweight Ronny Markes (14-2 MMA, 3-0 UFC) at Wednesday’s UFC Fight Night 31 event, believes a clean lifestyle and superb health will help keep him competitive for years to come.

“Primarily, I don’t believe my age is an issue,” Romero, who competed on the night’s FOX Sports 1-televised main card, said through a translator. “I live a very disciplined life. I eat well, and I keep a very (tight) schedule.

“So I don’t believe [my career] would need to be expedited (toward a title shot).”

Romero, who picked up a silver medal in wrestling at the 2000 Summer Olympics, made his pro debut four years ago. But it’s his knockout power – the kind that’s forced two opponents to quit mid-fight – that’s been on display in his early career.

After dropping Clifford Starks in 92 seconds with a flying knee in his promotional debut (one that earned him a “Knockout of the Night” bonus), he uncorked a vicious left hand on Markes to set up a third-round knockout win. If it weren’t for Tim Kennedy‘s big knockout in the night’s headliner, Romero likely would have earned his second “KO of the Night” award.

Aside from a Strikeforce loss to notable Rafael Cavalcante, whom he fought in just his fifth pro bout, Romero has looked stellar early in his career. While bigger challenges await, and though it’ll take some time to move up the ladder of the UFC’s much-improved middleweight division, Romero feels time is on his side.

With his 40s just three-and-a-half years away, he’s not concerned about age.

“I know I’m going to be good for as long as I need to be based on the disciplined routine I take,” he said.

For complete coverage of UFC Fight Night 31, stay tuned to the UFC Events section of the site.