Raymond Daniels gets new opponent, faces Wilker Barros at Bellator Birmingham

Kickboxing legend Raymond Daniels has a new assignment for his Bellator debut and his second mixed martial arts bout on the Bellator Birmingham card on May. 4.

Bellator confirmed to MMA Fighting that Daniels’ initial opponent Jon Durrant had been forced from the welterweight contest due to injury and will be replaced by MMA debutant and decorated U.K.-based striker, Wilker Barros. Bellator also noted that the bout would remain on the event’s main card.

Daniels (0-1-0 MMA) is considered one of the greatest kickboxers of all time. His celebrated 13-year kickboxing career has seen him compete for the biggest promotions in the sport including K-1, Glory, World Combat League, and Bellator Kickboxing. He is 8-0 under the Bellator Kickboxing banner and currently holds the promotion’s welterweight championship.

“The Real Deal” suffered a defeat to Jeremiah Metcalf in his sole MMA outing thus far, succumbing to a second-round rear-naked choke at a Strikeforce event in July 2008.

Barros will make his MMA debut on the night, but boasts a competitive striking record of 17-5-2. Formerly signed to Glory Kickboxing, “The Black Panther” is based in London and fights out of the KO Next Generation gym.