Alex
Polizzi will replace Melvin
Manhoef and face Yoel Romero
at
Bellator 280.
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Dutch outlet
Redactie Telesport was first to report the new booking, and
Sherdog.com subsequently confirmed the bout with a promotion
official. Manhoef was forced to withdraw due to an injury incurred
in the recent
apprehension of three burglars at his home. During that
incident, Manhoef reportedly smashed a car window with his bare
hand, which resulted in the Dutch striker needing stitches.
Bellator 280 takes place at Accor Arena in Paris on May 6 and is
headlined by a heavyweight title tilt between Ryan Bader
and Cheick
Kongo. Romero vs. Polizzi is currently scheduled to be the
card’s co-main event.
Polizzi has been victorious in four of his five promotional
appearances, with his lone defeat coming to light heavyweight grand
prix competitor Julius
Anglickas at Bellator 251. The Madison, Wisc., native is
currently in the midst of a three-bout winning streak that includes
a third-round submission of
Jose Augusto Azevedo Barros in his most recent bout at Bellator
276.
Romero, meanwhile, is looking to halt a four-bout skid in his
sophomore Bellator outing. In his promotional debut, “The Soldier
of God” dropped a split decision to fellow UFC veteran Phil Davis at
Bellator 266 last September.