After suffering an undisclosed injury in training, Steve Carl (11-2 MMA, 2-1 BFC) has been forced to withdraw from Bellator Fighting Championships' upcoming welterweight tournament.
In his place steps ShoXC and King of the Cage veteran Anthony Lapsley (19-4 MMA, 1-0 BFC).
Bellator brass today announced the switch and confirmed that Lapsley will face Jay Hieron (19-4 MMA, 0-0 BFC) at Bellator 35, which takes place March 5 at the Tachi Palace Hotel and Casino in Lemoore, Calif., and airs on MTV2.
"While the Steve Carl injury was devastating to hear, I'm excited for the opportunity Anthony is getting with Bellator," Bellator CEO Bjorn Rebney stated in today's release.
Lapsley fought once under the Bellator banner in a May 2009 victory over Ryan Williams in the promotion's debut season. The victory launched Lapsley's current four-fight win streak, and his lone loss in his past eight official bouts came to recent UFC fighter Mike Guymon.
"Jay is actually a fighter I've always enjoyed watching, I just never thought I'd have the opportunity to fight him," Lapsley stated. "It's going to be a war because I'm going to make it a war. He's been on some big shows and fought some really tough guys, but it's my turn now."
For Hieron, his Bellator debut represents his first contest following what will be just more than 13 months on the sidelines following a two-fight stint under the Strikeforce banner.
Hieron, who has also fought under the UFC, WEC, Affliction and IFL banners, among others, carries a seven-fight win streak into the matchup. Four of the victories came via decision, while three were earned via first-round stoppage.
For more on Bellator 35, stay tuned to the MMA Rumors section of MMAjunkie.com.
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