Rick Hawn (left) and Jim Wallhead exchange (right) (photo via Bellator.com)

By FCF Staff

Bellator has been forced to make some last minute adjustments to the line-up for the September 20th launch of its Season Nine welterweight tourney, as Rick Hawn and Ron Keslar will replace the injured Mark Scanlon and Matt Riddle respectively.

Riddle announced several days ago that a rib injury would prevent him from fighting in the tourney (the UFC vet proceeded to announce his retirement). No details regarding Scanlon’s injuries were disclosed.

Hawn (15-2), who will fight Herman Terrado, is returning to welterweight after winning a lightweight tourney and being submitted by champion Michael Chandler.

“I’m just excited to back in the Bellator Tournament again and looking forward to fighting at welterweight and making a run in this tournament, Hawn said in a press release from the promotion. “I’ve done it before and I’ll do it again. The field is really deep this season, I know it’s going to be a tough road.”

Keslar (9-3) joins Bellator having won four straight bouts, which includes a win over Eric Lawson under the Strikeforce banner. The welterweight will battle Sergio Junior in the tourney’s opening round.

Here is the updated line-up for the September 20th, Bellator 100 event, which will be hosted by Phoenix’s Grand Canyon University Arena.

MAIN CARD

Bellator Welterweight Tournament Final: Douglas Lima (24-5) vs. Ben Saunders (16-5)

Bellator Welterweight Opening Round: War Machine (13-4) vs. Vaughn Anderson (16-1-1)

Bellator Welterweight Opening Round: Rick Hawn (15-2) vs. Herman Terrado (11-2)

Bellator Welterweight Opening Round: Brent Weedman (21-8-1) vs. Justin Baesman (14-3)

Bellator Welterweight Opening Round: Ron Keslar (10-3) vs. Sergio Junior (29-11)

PRELIMINARY CARD

Bantamweight Tournament Semifinal: Travis Marx (20-4) vs. Brandon Bender (11-0)

Featherweight Feature Fight: Bubba Jenkins (4-0) vs. LaRue Burley (2-0)

Light Heavyweight Feature Fight: Beau Tribolet (7-2) vs. Liam McGeary (4-0)

Heavyweight Feature Fight: Mighty Mo (3-2) vs. Dan Charles (6-0)

Welterweight Feature Fight: Johnny Buck (12-8) vs. Adam McDonough (8-0)

Light Heavyweight Feature Fight: Joe Yager (5-2) vs. Clifford Starks (8-2)

Lightweight Feature Fight: Efrain Escudero (19-7) vs. Zack Surdyka (5-1)