by King Hazard
Ryan Bader’s Bellator debut against Muhammed Lawal won’t happen after all. Following a last minute interview on The MMA Hour with Ariel Helwani, former UFC light heavyweight contender Phil Davis announced he will be featured on the Bellator 180 card for his first title defense in June.
Davis, 32, revealed earlier today that he will officially replace “King Mo” in the undercard of Bellator 180 against Bader. Apparently “King Mo” was forced of the card after sustaining an undisclosed injury. Bader previously met Davis inside the Octagon at UFC on Fox: Gustafsson vs. Johnson where he defeated the Bellator light heavyweight champion via split decision. Although their first match was a sleeper, Davis is looking for redemption in the rematch.
Back in March, Bader announced that the UFC had not sought to match Bellator’s offer and that he was officially signed a six-fight deal with Bellator MMA. While in the UFC, he recently defeated Antônio Rogério Nogueira and Ilir Latifi via a spectacular knockout with his knee.
Bellator 180, also known as Bellator NYC: Sonnen vs. Silva, is scheduled to take place on June 24, 2017 at Madison Square Garden in New York City.
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