Bellator has announced that Zach Freeman will no longer be facing Zak Bucia at Bellator 197, and in his place steps Derek “The Barbaric” Anderson.
Fighting out of San Diego, Derek Anderson (14-3, 1NC) enters Missouri having not fought since January of 2017. Anderson lost the aforementioned fight via unanimous decision following a fight of the year contender vs. Derek Campos.
Two fights fell through for Anderson in 2017, however. A welterweight move was planned for May of last year where he would take on Michael “Venom” Page, but Page, unfortunately, was forced to pull out due to a knee injury.