Neiman Gracie has suffered a broken hand and has been pulled from Bellator 236, replacing him against Kiichi Kunimoto is Jason Jackson.
MMA Junkie first reported the change, but the bout is still expected to be a part of the main card.
Kunimoto (20-8-2-1NC) is winless thus far under the Bellator MMA banner, with that loss coming to Ed Ruth at Bellator 224. Kunimoto also won three of five in the UFC, with those wins coming over Luiz Jorge Dutra Jr., Daniel Sarafian and Richard Walsh. Kunimoto is a former Heat Welterweight Champion, defeating Fumitoshi Ishikawa at Heat 26 to claim the gold.
Jackson (10-4-0) has won just one of two under the Bellator MMA banner, with that lone win coming over Jordan Larson at Bellator 204. Jackson is a former LFA Welterweight Champion, defeating Hemerson De Souza by split decision at LFA 71 to claim the gold. Jackson competed on Dana White’s Tuesday Night Contender Series Episode 3, suffering a second round TKO loss to Kyle Stewart.
Bellator 236 takes place on Saturday, December 21 from the Neil S. Blaisdell Center in Honolulu, Hawaii with Ilima-Lei Macfarlane and Kate Jackson headining. Fightful is providing live coverage of the event, which streams live on DAZN.
