Bellator 232 has lost its originally scheduled co-main event.
A planned bout between sluggers Sabah Homasi and Paul Daley for the Oct. 26 was shuffled in the wake of an injury to Homasi, Bellator President Scott Coker announced on Twitter.
Stepping in for Homasi is Saad Awad, who will face Daley in a 175-pound catchweight bout, Coker wrote.
Bellator 232 takes place at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn. The event’s main card streams live on DAZN following prelims on MMA Fighting.
Awad makes a very quick turnaround, returning to the Bellator cage less than one month after a first-round submission loss to Goiti Yamauchi that marked his third straight setback. He was determined to reverse his downward trend and get back into the title picture.
A win over Daley would be a nice feather in the Bellator vet’s cap. But it could also be another highlight-reel opportunity for “Semtex,” who’s four months removed from a decision over fellow UFC vet Erick Silva that snapped a two-fight skid.
Daley hoped to run the field at the Bellator welterweight grand prix earlier this year in a grudge match against Michael “Venom” Page. But he was outworked over three rounds and dropped a decision.
Bellator 232 is headlined by a title rematch in the grand prix finals; champ Rory MacDonald attempts to win the tourney and defend his belt in a second go-around against ex-champ Douglas Lima. The winner of the competition gets a $1 million check.