[autotag]Pat Downey[/autotag] once again has his MMA debut scheduled.
Downey, a former Division-I All-American wrestler at Iowa State and USA Wrestling team member, will fight [autotag]Jeff Souder[/autotag] in a middleweight bout at Bellator 284 next month in South Dakota, he told Sports Illustrated. Souder will be making his pro debut, as well. Downey was supposed to make his pro debut at Bellator 277 earlier this year, but had to pull out.
Bellator 284 takes place Aug. 12 at Sanford Pentagon in Sioux Falls, S.D. The main card airs on Showtime following prelims on MMA Junkie.
Downey was set to take on Daniel Compton at Bellator 277, but withdrew from the fight after he was diagnosed with topical steroid withdrawal syndrome, also known as red skin syndrome. Downey posted a series of images and videos, which showed his neck and chest broken out in a red, oozing rash, to his Instagram account prior to the diagnosis.
He later announced in a follow-up post that his diagnosis was topical steroid withdrawal syndrome after he saw an allergist. Downey attributed the issue to stopping the use of topical cortisone creams, oral medications and injections.
Downey, who will turn 30 just before he fights at Bellator 284, was a USA Wrestling world team member who was at one point ranked No. 10 in the world. His resume includes a Dave Schultz Memorial International title, matches in the U.S. Open and World Team Trials and his NCAA All-American status.
With the addition, the Bellator 284 lineup now includes:
MAIN CARD (Showtime)
- Neiman Gracie vs. Goiti Yamauchi
- Valentin Moldavsky vs. Steve Mowry
- Bruna Ellen vs. Ilima-Lei Macfarlane
- Gokhan Saricam vs. Said Sowma
- DeAnna Bennett vs. Justine Kish
PRELIMINARY CARD (MMA Junkie)
- Weber Almeida vs. Ilias Bulaid
- Jaylon Bates vs. Mark Coates
- Pat Downey vs. Jeff Souder
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