Team France makes late change for “Third Edition”

With less than 48 hours until Team France makes its debut in the 2009 “M-1 Challenge Presented by Affliction,” officials with the team have made a late change at welterweight.

Farouk “Paco” Lakebir, 2-3, has been replaced by up-and-coming standout Gale Grimaud.

No official reason for the late change for Wednesday’s lineup has been disclosed, but Lakebir is in the midst of a three-fight losing streak and was 1-3 in M-1 Challenge team play in 2008.

Grimaud, 4-1, will step in to take on Team Spain welterweight Abner Lloveras, 5-4-1.

The fight vs. Lloveras will mark Grimaud’s debut in the M-1 Challenge after having competed exclusively in France for promotions such as the Pancrase Fighting Championship and Les Contenders.

The entire 19-bout card that is scheduled to emanate from Differ Ariake in Tokyo, Japan at 7 p.m. local Tokyo time with the completely lineup available by clicking here.