Bellator 189: Caveman Rickels Fills In for Derek Anderson Against Adam Piccolotti

Bellator MMA David Rickels
David Rickels Credit: Keith Mills/Sherdog.com

The Caveman will soon be back to put on a show once more!

Caveman Rickels is lined up to get back in the cage at Bellator 189, less than two months after his bout at Bellator 185 against Brennan Ward fell through. Bellator announced Wednesday that David Rickels will step in for Derek Anderson next month in Thackerville, Ok. He’ll be facing Adam Piccolotti at the event, which goes down at the WinStar World Casino. Anderson is off the card due to an unspecified injury.

Rickels (18–4 (2)) is undefeated in his last three bouts. He’ll head into Bellator 189 off a win over Aaron Derrow in January of this year. The long spell between bouts wasn’t helped by Ward’s injury, which saw Rickels’ appearance at Bellator 185 in Uncasville, CT scrapped in the week leading up to the fight.

Piccolotti suffered the first defeat of his professional career last time out at Bellator 183. That came against Goiti Yamauchi, who choked out the promising prospect in the first round of their bout. Prior to that, Piccolotti was a perfect 9-0, including a win over Brandon Girtz in November of last year.

Bellator 189 takes place at the WinStar World Casino in Thackerville, Oklahoma on December 1. Julia Budd defends her featherweight title against Arlene Blencowe in the main event.

Be sure to check out our earlier chat with Rickels here.