Bellator bantamweight champion Eduardo Dantas (16-3) is expected to be sidelined indefinitely after sustaining a head injury while training for his May 2 title defense against Joe Warren.
As a result, Warren and recent Summer Series tourney winner Rafael Silva will collide for the interim bantamweight title on May 2 in the main event of Bellator 118.
Bellator officials announced the switch over the weekend.
“We take head injuries very seriously, and when we were notified that Eduardo was dealing with a head injury, we immediately flew him from Brazil to California to be examined by some of the leading specialists in the field,” Bellator CEO Bjorn Rebney said in a statement. “We are hopeful Eduardo will be able to resume his career later this year, but in the interim we have two incredible tournament winners ready to challenge for the Bellator world title.”
“This is a setback for me,” Dantas said. “I’m not feeling right at the moment, but I am a fighter and have been a fighter since my childhood and I promise that I will be back stronger than ever. I want to thank Bjorn and Bellator for taking care of me during this process, for flying me across the world to get top specialists to see me. And, when I am ready to fight, I will show everyone once again why the belt has been wrapped around my waist.”
Warren (10-3), a former Bellator featherweight champion, is 3-0 since brutally losing his title to Pat Curran in 2012. The 37-year-old cruised through season nine’s bantamweight tournament, finishing Nick Kirk and Travis Marx to earn his title shot.
“It doesn’t matter which Brazilian they throw at me, I’m going to destroy who is ever across the cage from me,” Warren said. “It sucks Dantas got injured as I was focused on destroying him and taking his belt. But, now I’ll destroy Silva and Dantas can try to come and take my belt.”
Silva (21-3) rides a 13-fight win streak into the bout. The Brazilian submitted Rodrigo Lima then outpointed Anthony Leone to claim last year’s bantamweight Summer Series crown.
Bellator 118 takes place at the Revel Atlantic City in Atlantic City, New Jersey.