Christian Edwards acknowledges the crowd's cheers after his victory by first-round TKO over Justin Vargas in Thackerville, Oklahoma on July 12. Edwards, an Oklahoma native who now lives and trains in Albuquerque, is scheduled to face Cesar Bennett on Friday on a Bellator MMA card in Thackerville. LUCAS NOONAN/BELLATOR MMA
Christian Edwards vs Ben Parrish canceled for Bellator 259
A prizefight at 205 pounds drops out and causes a shift in the Bellator 259 main card. Christian Edwards vs Ben Parrish canceled in lieu of the commission not clearing Edwards for competition.
The Bellator PR Twitter account relayed the news regarding this fight falling out.
BREAKING: The light heavyweight bout between Christian Edwards and Ben Parrish has been cancelled. Christian Edwards was not cleared by the commission to compete. #BELLATOR259
— Bellator Public Relations (@BellatorPR) May 20, 2021
The Edwards versus Parrish fight cancellation has resulted in Valerie Loureda vs Hannah Guy being elevated to the main card per the Bellator PR Twitter as well.
The wording of the bout cancellation was a tad nebulous though. Mike Pendleton of My MMA News reported on the specifics behind the Mohegan Sun Tribe Department of Athletic Regulation’s decision here.
Re: Christian Edwards
From what I was told the issue for Edwards was an irregular heartbeat. I’ve heard different protocols, but in this case he was immediately tested after weighins, appeared healthy, but doctor called it off. #Bellator259 @MyMMANews
— Mike Pendleton (@MP2310) May 20, 2021
Edwards is a ranked light heavyweight competitor in the promotion as of this writing. The Jackson Wink product is listed as tied for the number nine spot with Melvin Manhoef as of the last rankings update.
Christian Edwards was looking to improve his spotless pro record to 5-0 against the 4-1 Big Tuna Ben Parrish. Edwards is riding a seven-fight win streak dating back to his days as an amateur mixed martial artist.
For Christian Edwards, the entirety of his burgeoning professional fighting career has transpired under the Bellator banner.
Both of the combatants had already made weight for the contest. Edwards came in at 202.7 pounds while Parrish weighed 205.3 pounds.
Christian Edwards vs Ben Parrish canceled
Edwards’ last fight saw him put away Hamza Salim via second-round rear-naked choke at Bellator 249 in October.
Parrish’s previous contest resulted in his first pro defeat when he lost to Logan Woods via leg injury at Summit FC 33 in November 2019.
Bellator 259 goes down on Friday, May 21st. This Bellator MMA card broadcasts on Showtime and emanates from Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut.
A rematch between Cris Cyborg and Leslie Smith headlines this Bellator event. But this time, the Bellator MMA featherweight world championship is up for grabs.
