[autotag]Anthony Johnson[/autotag] has a new opponent for the opening round of the Bellator light heavyweight grand prix after Yoel Romero was forced to withdraw.
Johnson (22-6 MMA, 0-0 BMMA) will now meet [autotag]Jose Augusto[/autotag] (7-2-1 MMA, 1-0 BMMA) in a quarterfinal tournament bout at Bellator 258, which takes place May 7 at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn., and airs on Showtime.
MMA Junkie verified the change with a Bellator official following an initial report from ESPN.com.
“Rumble,” a two-time UFC title challenger, is set to come out of retirement at Bellator 258 and compete for the first time since April 2017. He signed with Bellator within a close timespan to Romero, who also had a decorated UFC career, including multiple title fights.
The promotion opted to put the two newcomers together in the opening round of the 205-pound grand prix, but just eight days out, things went awry.
Romero did not received medical clearance to compete at Bellator 258, reportedly due to an eye issue. He withdrew from the fight against Johnson, and a replacement search was underway.
Augusto, a 29-year-old from Brazil, stepped up to the challenge. He’s riding a six-fight unbeaten streak, including a first-round submission win over Jonathan Wilson at Bellator 255 on April 2 in what was his promotional debut.
With the change, the Bellator 258 lineup now includes:
MAIN CARD (Showtime, 9 p.m. ET)
- Champ Juan Archuleta vs. Sergio Pettis – for bantamweight title
- Jose Augusto vs. Anthony Johnson – light heavyweight tournament quarterfinal
- Patricky Freire vs. Peter Queally
- Derek Anderson vs. Michael Page
PRELIMINARY CARD (MMA Junkie, 6 p.m. ET)
- Lorenz Larkin vs. TBA
- Josh Hill vs. Raufeon Stots
- Omar Hussein vs. Logan Storley
- Weber Almeida vs. Johnny Soto
- Johnny Campbell vs. Henry Corrales
- Johnny Eblen vs. Daniel Madrid
- Erik Perez vs. Blaine Shutt
- Patchy Mix vs. Albert Morales
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