John Michael Sheil vs. Faycal Hucin joins Cage Warriors 49, John Phillips won't headline

After a hand injury cost him a shot at the belt, it's now cost him a headlining spot at this month's Cage Warriors 49 event.

Welsh fighter John Phillips (16-5) has been ruled out of the headliner of the event, which takes place in his home country, officials today announced.

However, a middleweight bout between John Michael Sheil (8-0) and Faycal Hucin (7-3) has joined the lineup.

Cage Warriors 49 takes place Oct. 27 at St David's Hall in Cardiff, Wales. The main card streams on MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com), and Facebook carries the prelims.

Sheil, an undefeated Irish fighter, returns to Cage Warriors for the first time since a TKO win over Victor Cheng in June 2011. Since then he's hit the regional circuit and posted four stoppage wins, including a TKO win over Ross Pointon earlier this year in Ireland. In eight career win, he's posted eight stoppages (six via knockout).

Hucin looks to rebound from his April decision loss to Cheng, which came in the semifinal round of the organization's eight-man middleweight grand prix. Prior to the defeat, the French fighter posted five consecutive wins, including a Cage Warriors victory over Gareth Joseph.

The latest Cage Warriors 49 card includes:

MAIN CARD (MMAjunkie.com)

* Bruno Carvalho vs. Cathal Pendred
* Sheila Gaff vs. Rosi Sexton (for vacant women's flyweight title)
* Greg Loughran vs. Tim Newman
* Faycal Hucin vs. John Michael Sheil

PRELIMINARY CARD (Facebook)

* Kris Edwards vs. Mark Platts
* Dino Gambatesa vs. Martin McDonough
* Karl Harrison vs. Neil Seery
* Merv Mulholland vs. Daniel Thomas
* Lee Caers vs. Kevin Reed
* Sam Gilbert vs. Brett Johns

http://mmajunkie.com/news/30933/john-michael-sheil-vs-faycal-hucin-joins-cage-warriors-49-john-phillips-wont-headline.mma