Hawn Injures Knee, Withdraws from Bellator Tournament

Welterweight Rick Hawn (pictured) has suffered a knee injury and has been forced to withdraw from Bellator's upcoming fifth-season welterweight tournament.

The fighter tweeted the news on Tuesday evening, announcing that his recovery will keep him sidelined for several months. Hawn had been scheduled to face former UFC talent Ben Saunders in the opening round of the tournament, kicking off at Bellator 49 on Sept. 10. It is unknown at this time if Bellator has secured a replacement for Hawn in the tournament.

A member of the United States' 2004 Olympic judo team, Hawn fought his way to the finals of Bellator's fourth-season welterweight tournament earlier this year, falling to eventual champion Jay Hieron by split decision in May.

Prior to that defeat, the 34-year-old had gone undefeated in his pro career, racking up three consecutive wins in the Bellator cage before running into Hieron at Bellator 43.

Though his extensive judo background is well documented, Hawn has yet to submit a single foe in MMA. Instead, the welterweight holds seven of his 11 career wins by knockout.