Zach Freeman has suffered an injury and has been pulled from the Bellator 197 card, replacing him against Zak Bucia is going to be Derek Anderson.
Bucia (18-9-0) is currently winless in Bellator MMA competition, dropping a bout to Neiman Gracie by second round submission at Bellator 185. Bucia is also a former Shamrock FC Welterweight Champion, defeating Aaron Highfill at Shamrock FC 295 to win the gold. Bucia also won one of three during his time in Strikeforce, with win coming over Adam Steel at Strikeforce: Destruction in November 2008.
Anderson (14-3-0-1NC) has won two of his last three in Bellator MMA competition, but is coming off of a loss to Derek Campos at Bellator 170. Anderson returns to action for the first time in over a year, as Bellator 170 took place on January of 2017. Anderson has seen his last four bouts go the distance and the fighter hasn’t gotten a finish in just over three years.
Bellator 197 takes place on Friday, April 13 from the Family Arena in St. Louis, Missouri with Brent Primus and Michael Chandler headlining. Fightful is providing live coverage of the event, which airs live on the Paramount Network.
