Patrik Pietila replaces Gavin Hughes, faces Ryan Roddy at Bellator Dublin

Established Scandinavian competitor Patrik Pietila will step in to replace England’s Gavin Hughes at Bellator Dublin at the 3 Arena on Sept. 27, and is set to face returning Irish competitor Ryan Roddy.

Bellator confirmed the preliminary lightweight bout to MMA Fighting on Friday.

Finland’s Pietila (11-7-0) is coming off a big win over Superior Challenge welterweight champion David Bielkheden in a non title bout, which acted as the co-main event for Superior Challenge 19 in May. Pietila’s unanimous decision win snapped a nine-fight win streak for Bielkheden. Although the bout was contested at welterweight, Pietila is returning to his preferred lightweight category for his Bellator debut.

Roddy (7-1-1) is set to compete for the first time since his 2015 draw with former Cage Warriors lightweight champion and current UFC fighter, Chris Fishgold at M4TC 18: Takedown. The Newcastle-Irishman has tasted defeat just once in his career when he was submitted by Dubliner Paul Redmond with a signature toe-hold in the second round of their lightweight bout at Cage Warriors 51 in 2012.