With Steve Mowry out, Ras Hylton targeted to face Rudy Schaffroth at Bellator 242

Bellator MMA

Rudy Schaffroth looks to have a new opponent for Bellator’s return to action this Friday.

After Steve Mowry announced he was out of his scheduled fight with Schaffroth due to a positive COVID-19 test, multiple people with knowledge of the promotion’s plans confirmed to MMA Fighting that Ras Hylton is the targeted opponent to step in on just three days’ notice at Bellator 242. The event takes place Friday night at Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, Conn.

A source told MMA Fighting that the fight has been agreed upon by both parties, but contracts have not been signed as of yet. Hylton is scheduled to arrive in Connecticut on Wednesday and will have to pass a COVID-19 test before moving on to quarantine. If the results come back negative, and Hylton is cleared by medical personnel, he would then move on to Thursday morning’s weigh-ins.

Between Rounds Radio was first to report the potential booking on Facebook.

Schaffroth began his professional career with six straight first-round finishes, including two for Bellator to cap off 2018. The Oregon native suffered his first career loss in his most recent fight at Bellator 225 via submission to Tyrell Fortune in the second round in August 2019.

Hylton would make his promotional debut and looks to get back to his winning ways after a second-round submission loss in February. The New England regional fighter holds a 5-4 professional record, which includes two fights for CES MMA. “The Jamaican Shamrock,” who competed against UFC heavyweight Yorgan De Castro in 2018, has yet to go to the judges’ scorecards throughout his career.

Bellator 242 will be headlined by a bantamweight bout between Sergio Pettis and Ricky Bandejas.