UFC Vet Mike Rhodes Replaces Chris Honeycutt, Faces Kendall Grove at Bellator 174

Mike Rhodes will step in for Chris Honeycutt on less than a week’s notice to face Kendall Grove at Bellator 174 on Friday night.

The California-based promotion recently confirmed the change following an initial report from MMAjunkie.com. A reason for Honeycutt’s withdrawal was not given. Bellator 174 takes place at Winstar Casino in Thackerville, Okla., and is headlined by a bout between Marloes Coenen and Julia Budd for the inaugural women’s featherweight title. The main card airs on Spike at 9 p.m. ET/8 p.m. CT (online sportsbooks).

Rhodes was released by the UFC following three consecutive losses in 2014. Since then, the Roufusport product has reeled off four straight wins. Most recently, the 27-year-old known as “Biggie” submitted Rakim Cleveland in the second round at Victory Fighting Championship 51 on June 24.

Also an Octagon veteran, Grove has compiled a 4-3 mark in the Bellator MMA cage. In his last outing, the 34-year-old Hawaiian had a two-fight winning streak snapped in a second-round technical knockout loss to Alexander Shlemenko at Bellator 162.