Kickboxer Joe Schilling returns to MMA at Bellator 210, but he’s had a late change in opponent, with Jose Leija pulling out, and Will Morris stepping in to take the fight.
The Bellator 210 card later this month in Thackerville, Oklahoma is still coming together. On Monday, standout kickboxer and MMA middleweight Joe Schilling told Cageside Press that he had a new opponent for the card, which takes place November 30 at the WinStar World Casino & Resort. Schilling was originally set to face Jose Leija. However, with Leija off the card, the undefeated Will Morris will step in to face ‘Stitch ’em Up.’
Morris (4-0) made his promotional debut in July at Bellator 202, earning a unanimous decision win over Charles Williams. Prior to joining Bellator, Morris had spent his entire pro career with Fury FC, achieving three finishes in three fights.
Schilling (2-5), meanwhile, returns to MMA for the first time since 2015. Though he has struggled in his MMA pursuits over the year, the kickboxing star has won four straight in the ring. All four of those wins have come with Bellator Kickboxing, though Schilling has not competed since last December, instead focusing on an all-in transition to MMA.
In the MMA realm, Schilling is 1-2 since joining Bellator. After an exciting finish of Melvin Manhoef, Schilling dropped a split decision to Rafael Carvalho, and was then knocked out by Hisaki Kato with a superman punch at Bellator 139. The pair rematched under the Bellator Kickboxing banner, with Kato knocking Schilling out again, this time with a spinning back fist.
Bellator 210 is headlined by a middleweight scrap between Chidi Njokuani and John Salter.
