Rickels (photo via Bellator.com)

By FCF Staff

Surging veteran Dave Jansen will not be the next man to fight Bellator lightweight champ Michael Chandler, as the former tourney winner is reportedly injured and has been forced to withdraw from the June 19th, Bellator 96 card. David Rickels has been tapped to fight Chandler as a result, and will do on June 31st at Bellator 97.

Jansen’s injury and the resulting line-up changes are being reported by MMA Junkie.com.

Rickels (14-1) won Bellator’s Season 8 lightweight tourney by scoring wins over Lloyd Woodard, Jason Fischer and then Saad Awad in the finals. The former welterweight has won four straight.

Chandler (11-0) hasn’t competed since January when he tapped out Rick Hawn with a second round, rear-naked-choke. The noted wrestler has won 8 consecutive bouts under the Bellator banner.

Bellator has not made any official announcement yet about the reported changes.

The upcoming June 19th card will also feature “King Mo” Lawal vs. Seth Petruzelli and “Babalu” Sobral vs. Jacob Noe in the promotion’s summer light-heavyweight tourney.