Charlie Ward has been forced to switch opponents at the last minute and will now face Martin Hudson, instead of Louis King, at Bellator 200 on Friday.

Bellator confirmed the opponent change with MMA Fighting ahead of Friday morning’s official weigh-in. King (1-1) fell ill over the last couple of days and was not cleared to fight on the card, MMA Fighting has learned.

Shortly after Hudson was announced as Ward’s new opponent, King spoke to Jake Smith and claimed that the organization would not allow him to compete after he was diagnozed with mumps.

Hudson (4-4) is currently on a three-fight skid. He last competed in September at BAMMA 31 where he lost in the first round to Alex Montagnani. Ahead of his meeting with Montagnani, he lost to Alfie Davis and top-ranked prospect Ashley Reece.