Source: Shark Fights 17 Co-Main Event in Limbo

Shark Fights 17 lost its co-headlining attraction on Friday morning when it was reported that Ricco Rodriguez would not face Karl Knothe due to a 26-pound weight disparity.

Apparently, Knothe was under the impression that his bout with the former UFC champion was to be a standard heavyweight contest, while Rodriguez (Pictured; file photo) had signed on for a 230-pound catchweight affair. After Knothe weighed in at over 253 pounds, the 227-pound Rodriguez pulled out of the fight.

However, Shark Fights subsequently issued a release stating that Rodriguez will now face Doug Williams at the event, which goes down on Friday from the Dr. Pepper Arena in Frisco, Texas.

Williams had been scheduled to face Daniel Almeida, but, according to the promotion, he will instead perform in the co-headliner against Rodriguez on HDNet.

To confirm the pairing, Sherdog.com contacted a source close to the bout who stated that no deal has been made despite the Shark Fights announcement. Though Rodriguez has been offered Williams as an opponent, the Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt has yet to actually accept the bout.

Though the co-headliner currently stands in limbo, the rest of the card will proceed as planned. Shark Fights 17 will be headlined by a middleweight rematch between Matt Horwich and Jake Rosholt and will also feature a light heavyweight confrontation pitting Emanuel Newton against Ilir Latifi.