SANTA MONICA, Calif. (October 7, 2015) – A rib injury sustained by Eduardo Dantas (17-4) during training camp has forced him to withdraw from his “Bellator 144” main event matchup against Marcos Galvao (17-6-1) at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn.

As a result, the fight has been cancelled and a middleweight contest pitting Brandon Halsey (9-0) against Rafael Carvalho (11-1) will now serve as theOctober 23 headliner. Goiti Yamauchi (18-2) versus Isao Kobayashi (18-2-4) has been promoted to the televised portion of action on Spike at 9 p.m. ET/8 p.m. CT, while preliminary bouts will stream on Spike.com at 7 p.m. ET.

In addition to the new main event of “Bellator 144: Halsey vs. Carvalho,” a pair of welterweight contests will also be featured on the main card, when“Irish” Brennan Ward (11-3) meets Dennis “The Menace” Olson (14-9) and Michael “Venom” Page (8-0) returns to face promotional newcomerCharlie Ontiveros (6-3).

Tickets for “Bellator 144: Halsey vs. Carvalho,” which start at just $25, are on sale now at Ticketmaster.com and the Mohegan Sun Arena box office. Doors for the event open at 6:00 p.m. ET local time, and the first contest takes place shortly after.

Please see below for the updated bout order for the fights slated to take place at “Bellator 144: Halsey vs. Carvalho,” which airs live and free on Spike.

Complete “Bellator 144: Halsey vs. Carvalho”  – October 23

Main Card: (Spike – 9 p.m. ET/8 p.m. CT)

Bellator Middleweight Championship Fight: Brandon Halsey (9-0) vs. Rafael Carvalho (11-1)

Bellator Welterweight Feature Fight: Brennan Ward (11-3) vs. Dennis Olson (14-9)

Bellator Featherweight Feature Fight: Isao Kobayashi (18-2-4) vs. Goiti Yamauchi (18-2)

Bellator Welterweight Feature Fight: Michael Page (8-0) vs. Charlie Ontiveros (6-3)

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Preliminary Card: (Spike.com – 6:50 p.m. ET/5:50 p.m. CT

Bellator 150-Pound Feature Fight: Pete Rogers Jr. (2-2) vs. Marius Enache (2-3)

Bellator Flyweight Feature Fight: Billy Giovanella (8-4) vs. Brandon Polcare (1-0)

Bellator 165-Pound Feature Fight: Keenan Raymond (2-1) vs. Damien Trites (6-6)

Bellator Bantamweight Feature Fight: Kin Moy (7-2) vs. Walter Smith-Cotito (3-3)

Bellator Featherweight Feature Fight: Matt Bessette (15-7) vs. Kevin Roddy (15-15)

Bellator Welterweight Feature Fight: Matt Secor (6-2) vs. Jeremie Holloway (7-0)

Bellator Lightweight Feature Fight: Sam Watford (debut) vs. TJ Hepburn (4-1)

Bellator Welterweight Feature Fight: Ilya Kotau (1-0) vs. Kemran Lachinov (1-1)

Bellator Heavyweight Feature Fight: Kevin Haley (3-3) vs. Mike Zichelle (7-3)

About Bellator MMA

Bellator MMA is a leading Mixed Martial Arts organization featuring many of the best fighters in the world. Under the direction of veteran fight promoter Scott Coker, Bellator is available to nearly 500 million homes worldwide in over 140 countries. In the United States, Bellator can be seen on Spike TV, the MMA television leader.  Bellator MMA is comprised of an executive team that includes top industry professionals in television production, live event orchestration, fighter development/relations, venue procurement, sponsorship creation/development, international licensing, marketing, advertising, publicity and commission relations.  Bellator is based in Santa Monica, California and owned by entertainment giant Viacom, home to the world’s premier entertainment brands that connect with audiences through compelling content across television, motion picture, online and mobile platforms.

About Spike:

Spike is available in 98.7 million homes and is a division of Viacom Media Networks.  A unit of Viacom (NASDAQ: VIA, VIAB), Viacom Media Networks is one of the world’s leading creators of programming and content across all media platforms.  Spike’s Internet address is www.spike.com and for up-to-the-minute and archival press information and photographs, visit Spike’s press site at http://www.spike.com/press.  Follow us on Twitter @spiketvpr for the latest in breaking news updates, behind-the-scenes information and photos

SANTA MONICA, Calif. (September 8, 2015) – “Irish” Brennan Ward (11-3) will compete for the third time in 2015 when he meets Dennis “The Menace” Olson (14-9) in a welterweight contest at “Bellator 144: Galvao vs. Dantas 2,” which emanates from the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn., on October 23.

The bout will take place during the main card of “Bellator 144: Galvao vs. Dantas 2,” which will be televised live on Spike at 9 p.m. ET/8 p.m. CT, while preliminary bouts will stream on Spike.com at 7 p.m. ET.

The main event of “Bellator 144: Galvao vs. Dantas 2” features an exciting rematch for the bantamweight title fight between champion Marcos Galvao (17-6-1) and his former training partner Eduardo Dantas(17-4). In the co-feature, Brandon “Bull” Halsey (9-0) will look to regain the vacant Bellator MMA Middleweight Title when he takes on Rafael Carvalho (11-1).

Tickets for “Bellator 144: Galvao vs. Dantas 2,” which start at just $25, are on sale now at Ticketmaster.com and the Mohegan Sun Arena box office. Doors for the event open at 6:00 p.m. ET local time, and the first contest takes place shortly after.

Ward is fresh off an ESPN Top-10 first-round knockout of Roger Carroll at “Bellator 140: Lima vs. Koreshkov,” his second consecutive victory. “Irish” has competed in his home state of Connecticut on three-straight occasions, but the crowd may be torn as he faces Olson, who also calls the New England area his home.

Olson fought valiantly against Paul Daley this past July, but ultimately was defeated in his third appearance under the Bellator MMA banner. “The Menace” has finished 10 of his 14 wins as a professional and will also be competing for the third time in 2015.

Bellator 144: “Galvao vs. Dantas 2” Updated Card

Main Card: (Spike – 9 p.m. ET/8 p.m. CT)

Bellator Bantamweight Championship Fight: Marcos Galvao (17-6-1) vs. Eduardo Dantas (17-4)

Bellator Middleweight Championship Fight: Brandon Halsey (9-0) vs. Rafael Carvalho (11-1)

Bellator Welterweight Feature Fight: Brennan Ward (11-3) vs. Dennis Olson (14-9)

Bellator Welterweight Feature Fight: Michael Page (8-0) vs. TBA

About Bellator MMA

Bellator MMA is a leading Mixed Martial Arts organization featuring many of the best fighters in the world. Under the direction of veteran fight promoter Scott Coker, Bellator is available to nearly 500 million homes worldwide in over 140 countries. In the United States, Bellator can be seen on Spike, the MMA television leader.  Bellator MMA is comprised of an executive team that includes top industry professionals in television production, live event orchestration, fighter development/relations, venue procurement, sponsorship creation/development, international licensing, marketing, advertising, publicity and commission relations.  Bellator is based in Santa Monica, California and owned by entertainment giant Viacom, home to the world’s premier entertainment brands that connect with audiences through compelling content across television, motion picture, online and mobile platforms.

About Spike:

Spike is available in 98.7 million homes and is a division of Viacom Media Networks.  A unit of Viacom (NASDAQ: VIA, VIAB), Viacom Media Networks is one of the world’s leading creators of programming and content across all media platforms.  Spike’s Internet address is www.spike.com and for up-to-the-minute and archival press information and photographs, visit Spike’s press site at http://www.spike.com/press.  Follow us on Twitter @spiketvpr for the latest in breaking news updates, behind-the-scenes information and photos.