Bellator forced to change plans for Taekwondo superstar Valerie Loureda

Pitting a potential superstar against an overmatched opponent is by no means a new phenomenon in combat sports.

Boxing has a long-standing reputation for allowing fighters to pad their professional records with bouts against less-than-stellar competition and MMA does the same every now and then. Enter Valerie Loureda. Loureda has all the makings of a future star with her incredible talent and use of social media combining to make her a promoter's dream. And Bellator wanted to give Loureda every possible chance of getting her mixed martial arts career off to the perfect start. Loureda, a fourth degree Taekwondo black belt and former member of the US Olympic team, was initially matched up with Anastasia Bruce for Bellator 215 on February 15 at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut but plans have now changed. https://www.instagram.com/p/BrQq85BgOgV/ Upon examination of the fighters' amateur records, commission head Mike Mazzulli has denied Bruce as an opponent for Loureda. According to Tapology.com, Bruce lost each of her 12 amateur bouts which comes in stark contrast to Loureda's 2-1 amateur record and Mazzulli didn't feel comfortable allowing the fight to go ahead according to MMA Junkie. Bellator are now apparently looking for a new opponent for Loureda while Bruce's fighting future will not be taking place under the Bellator banner.