This Friday night the World Bare Knuckle Fighting Federation is set to hold their very first event. However, it won’t be headlined by its original main event.

Originally, the inaugural show for the WBKFF was to feature in its main event a middleweight showdown between former Bellator standout “Irish” Brennan Ward and former UFC welterweight champion Johny Hendricks.

Due to some contractual issues, Ward has decided that he isn’t going to go through with the fight.

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bp4c65olK-u/?utm_source=ig_share_sheet&igshid=1uk5asst2rkp

To all my followers:

WBKFF won’t honor the contract that was originated for this fight to happen between me and Johnny Hendricks. So for that I had to decline this fight and do what was best for me! All the respect in the world to Big Rig Johnny Hendricks and to all my followers I am sorry this all happened last minute. This will NOT be the last time you hear from me!

Reguards

BWARD!!!

Former NFL linebacker for the San Diego Chargers and Buffalo Bills, Shawne Merriman was also expected to make his combat sports debut on this card but backed out for the same reasons.

In regards to Wards’ opponent, Hendricks, it appears that he is still looking at options to compete.

I'm told Johny Hendricks is still discussing options to compete on Friday, after Brennan Ward announced his withdrawal alleging WBKFF failed to honor his contract. Ex-NFL player Shawne Merriman also pulled out of this event, citing contracts weren't honored.

— Brett Okamoto (@bokamotoESPN) November 7, 2018

I’m told Johny Hendricks is still discussing options to compete on Friday, after Brennan Ward announced his withdrawal alleging WBKFF failed to honor his contract. Ex-NFL player Shawne Merriman also pulled out of this event, citing contracts weren’t honored.

WBKFF 1 is made up of a plethora of former MMA fighters that have fought all over the world. Assuming the event still goes down, here’s how it looks as of right now (via Fightbook MMA).

Middleweight – 185lbs: (C) – Johny Hendricks vs. TBD

Light Heavyweight – 205lbs: (C) – Chris Leben vs. Phil Baroni

Middleweight: Joey Angelo vs. Julian Lane

Bantamweight – 135lbs: (C) – Christina Marks vs. Jasmine Clarkson

Middleweight: Dakota Cochrane vs. Marcelo Alfaya

$100,000 Lightweight (155lbs) tournament kickoff featuring: Jay Cucciniello, Nick Gonzalez, Estevan Payan, Robbie Peralta, Leon Mynhardt and Mike Bronzoulis

Middleweight – Josh Neer vs. Mike Alderete

Preliminary Card:

Catchweight – 175lbs: Isaac Vallie-Flagg vs. Cory Simpson

Heavyweight – 225-265lbs: CJ Leveque vs. Juan Torres

Catchweight – 160lbs: Fred Pierce vs. Jeff Chiffens

This article first appeared on BJPenn.com on 11/7/2018