Bellator No. 1 lightweight contender and Season 7 tournament winner Dave Jansen has withdrawn from his Bellator 96 challenge of champion Michael Chandler due to an ACL injury. Chandler will still defend his belt, but that won’t happen until Bellator 97 on July 31, and he’ll do so against Season 8 tournament winner David Rickels , who now leap-frogs Jansen. Bellator officials announced the change Sunday morning. “I’m already back in the gym getting ready for the biggest test of my career,” Rickels said. “I was prepared for another few months off with Jansen already in line for his title shot, but when I got the news I was pumped because I got to enjoy myself for a while after the tournament, but now I’m ready to fight for that belt.” Rickels defeated Saad Awad at Bellator 94 at the end of March. Now, he’ll make the quick turn for a shot at Bellator gold. “Chandler is going to bring a huge challenge, but I know I need to focus on my takedown defense, and just push the pace,” he added.
Read the original post:
Dave Jansen Injured, Bellator Champ Michael Chandler Gets New Opponent, New Date – MMA Weekly