ROSEMONT, Ill.–The GLORY 38 light heavyweight tournament has taken a huge hit, losing one of its best competitors. Zack Mwekassa (15-4) was pulled from competition by the Illinois State Athletic Commission for undisclosed medical reasons, a source confirmed to MMA Plus.
Zack Mwekassa has been pulled from #GLORY38 LHW tournament for undisclosed medical reasons, per source. Replacement is Brian Collette.
— Michael Stets (@Michael_Stets) February 24, 2017
Mwekassa, 33, who was coming off a TKO loss to Artem Vakhitov at GLORY 35, was set to face Zinedine Hameur-Lain (56-14)in the semi-finals of the GLORY 38 four-man, one-night “Contender” tournament. “The Black Warrior” will now be replaced by tournament reserve fighter, Brian Collette (23-3). As the tournament now stands, Collette will face Hamuer-Lain and in the opposing bracket, Danyo Illunga takes on Ariel Machado.
Collette is currently ranked No.12 in the light heavyweight division and weighed in successfully on Thursday at 208 pounds. The Virginia native is 4-3 in GLORY competition and has won his last two fights, defeating Myron Dennis at GLORY 32 and GLORY 19.
The Illinois State Athletic Commission and Mwekassa could not be reached for comment at the time of this article. MMA Plus will update you on any further information as it becomes available.
