Erick Silva is stepping up to face Lorenz Larkin in an alternate bout for the Welterweight Grand Prix at Bellator 207, while in separate news, Brennan Ward is off the card.
Erick Silva has his debut with Bellator MMA set. Signing with the promotion just days ago, Silva was expected to fight late this year, or even early in 2019. Instead, he’ll step into the Bellator cage in October, which he faces Lorenz Larkin at Bellator 207 in an alternate bout for Bellator’s World Welterweight Grand Prix. Larkin was originally booked opposite Yaroslav Amosav, who is injured.
ESPN’s Ariel Helwani was first to break the news that Silva would be facing Larkin at Bellator 207. The Bellator 207 news doesn’t stop there, however. Brennan Ward is also injured, and has been forced off the card as well. Ward had been set to meet Andre Filaho at the event. The promotion is currently seeking a replacement for Ward.
Larkin (19–7 (1)) was one of Bellator’s big welterweight pickups on the free agent market, debuting with the company last year after exiting the UFC on a two-fight win streak. He immediately fell on hard times, however, losing his first two bouts with the company. Those losses came in a title fight against Douglas Lima, and then a knockout at the hands of Paul Daley.
Bouncing back against Fernando Gonzalez at Bellator 193 earlier this year, Larkin will look to work his way back to another shot at the welterweight title, now held by Rory MacDonald. The belt will be on the line in each grand prix fight in which MacDonald appears.
Erick Silva (20–9 (1)) earned his first win since 2016 when he defeated Nick Barnes at LFA 45 earlier this year. He left the UFC on a two-fight skid, and 1-4 in his last five fights with the company.
Bellator 207 takes place at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn., on October 12, 2018.
