A week after losing its co-main event, the Oct. 20 show has now lost the bout that was moved up to take its place. Welterweight Brennan Ward has withdrawn from Friday’s card due to an injury, and his fight with David Rickels has been canceled, officials confirmed to MMA Fighting.
In another change, Neiman Gracie (6-0) will now fight Bellator newcomer Zak Bucia (18-8) after originally scheduled opponent Javier Torres suffered an injury. That bout has been positioned as the new co-main event.
The original co-headliner was supposed to feature Liam McGeary fighting Muhammed “King Mo” Lawal.