By Rafael Bandayrel
Both fighters originally booked for the main event of Bellator 200 will no longer be on the card.
It was announced earlier this week that Mirko Cro Cop will pull-out from his Bellator World Heavyweight Grand Prix match against Roy “Big Country” Nelson because of an injury.
The heavyweight clash was supposed to be the headliner of the London show on May 25. Cro Cop did not have a replacement, however, which forced Bellator president Scott Coker to pull Nelson out of the bout as well.
“Unfortunately, Mirko tore his knee and he’s out, so Roy will not be fighting on Friday,” Coker said per MMA Fighting. “We will sit down with Roy after this fight and get him re-booked and get him busy again.”
In turn, Nelson will automatically advance to the Heavyweight Grand Prix semi-finals where he will face Ryan Bader.
“Roy is the guy now, so if he gets a spot by default, that’s what it is,” Coker stated “Roy will move forward in the tournament if somebody else can’t make it.”
A title fight between Bellator middleweight champion Rafael Carvalho and challenger Gegard Mousasi has been promoted as the main event of Bellator 200.
