Neiman Gracie won’t fight Saturday night.
Jiu-jitsu black belt Gracie (9-1 MMA, 7-1 BMMA) has been forced out of Bellator 236 due to an indisclosed injury. The withdrawal comes just five days before his scheduled bout against Kiichi Kunimoto.
Kunimoto (20-8-2 MMA, 0-1 BMMA) remains on the card, facing short-notice replacement Jason Jackson. A promotion official informed MMA Junkie of the lineup switch-up Monday.
Japan’s Kunimoto looks to pick up his first Bellator victory. In his promotional debut at Bellator 224 in July, Kunimoto lost to Ed Ruth by second-round TKO.
As for Jackson (10-4 MMA, 1-1 BMMA), the former LFA welterweight champion, was signed by Bellator in August. In his promotional debut at Bellator 231 in October, Jackson faced off with the aforementioned Ruth. The two engaged in a back-and-forth fight, which saw Ruth edge out a split-decision victory.
Bellator 236 takes place at Neal S. Blaisdell Center in Honolulu. The main card streams on DAZN following prelims on MMA Junkie.
Check out the current Bellator 236 lineup below:
- Ilima-Lei Macfarlane vs. Kate Jackson
- Derek Campos vs. A.J. McKee
- Bruna Ellen vs. Juliana Velasquez
- Jason Jackson vs. Kiichi Kunimoto
- Cheyden Leialoha vs. Raufeon Stots
- Nainoa Dung vs. Zach Zane
- Kona Oliveira vs. Ben Wilhelm
- Kai Kamaka III vs. Spencer Higa
- Chas Dunhour vs. Nate Yoshimura
- Dustin Barca vs. Brandon Pieper
- Kaylan Gorospe vs. Swayne Lunasco
- Keoni Diggs vs. Scotty Hao
