With Tom DeBlass out of his light heavyweight fight against Muhammed Lawal at Bellator 131, opportunity is knocking for Joe Vedepo.
Bellator announced on Monday that the 31-year old has stepped in on less than two week’s notice to face the former Strikeforce champion Lawal on Nov. 15 in San Diego. For Vedepo, who is coming off of a TKO victory over Davin Clark at Bellator 129 two weeks ago, is riding a three-fight winning streak overall. He trains at Alliance Training Center in nearby Chula Vista.
DeBlass was forced to withdraw from the fight after suffering a major cut over his eye in training. He posted a picture of the gash on his Twitter feed.
The 33-year old Lawal has gone 5-3 since coming to Bellator in early-2013. “King” Mo is coming off of a TKO victory over Dustin Jacoby at Bellator 123 in September. Lawal (13-4-1) has traded wins and losses since losing his interim title big against current champion Emanuel Newton at Bellator 106.
Bellator 131 will take place at the Valley View Casino Center on Nov. 15. The card will be headlined by MMA veterans Tito Ortiz and Stephan Bonnar, with a co-main lightweight title fight between Michael Chandler and Will Brooks.