Bellator MMA lightweight champion Brent Primus still has yet to make his first title defense, and won’t be able to do so in April vs. Michael Chandler.
Michael Chandler will have to wait a little bit longer for his rematch with current Bellator MMA lightweight champion Brent Primus.
MMA Fighting’s Ariel Helwani reported on Tuesday that Primus suffered a knee injury in training and will not be able to compete at Bellator 197 on April 13th. There’s no word on the timetable for Primus, but it looks like he’s going to go more than a year between fights for the fifth time in his eight-year. eight-fight career.
Primus (8-0) won the lightweight belt from Chandler at Bellator: NYC last June, winning by injury TKO after Chandler could not continue due to a busted leg. Since then, Chandler (17-4) has competed one time, dominating Goiti Yamauchi by decision to set up the rematch.
With Primus out, Bellator has instead booked Chandler to face Brandon Girtz. The 33-year-old Girtz (15-7) had been on a three-fight losing skid before knocking out heavy underdog Luka Jelcic last December.
Bellator 197 will take place at the Family Arena in St. Charles, Missouri. The main card will air live on the Paramount Network. Featherweight contenders A.J. McKee and Justin Lawrence are set to feature in the night’s co-main event.