With Bellator 178 coming up next Friday night, one of the big names on the card, Ed Ruth, is hoping to find a new opponent.

Bellator announced last week that blue chip prospect and former collegiate national wrestling champion Ed Ruth was set to make his return at Bellator 178 next Friday night. Ruth has informed FanSided that his scheduled opponent Aaron Goodwine is no longer on the card, leaving Ruth’s status to compete at the event up in the air.

“He’s not my opponent anymore,” Ruth said while speaking with FanSided MMA. “As far as opponent goes, I have no idea. But competing wise, I’m always ready to compete. I love competing, It’s always been part of my nature. People don’t like it but i love that little nervous pit you get in your stomach. It just means your alive and your ready for this.”

Ruth said he he was informed by the organization earlier this week, and while Bellator is hoping to find a replacement in time, there is no guarantee. In the meantime, Ruth will still be preparing as if the fight will be happening.

“It really hasn’t changed my game plan too much,” Ruth said. “The way that I train has always been the way I train. Usually when I have somebody I’m training against, I always try to pay attention to what some of his strengths are, if I can find video on him. But now that I don’t know who I have, it’s back to the regular training i’ve been doing for the past eleven months. Making sure my hands are sharp, my jiu-jistu’s sharp. I’m making sure i’m dangerous on my feet and on the mat.”

Whether the fight happens next Friday night, or down the line, Ruth is not going to let it bother him and will remain positive while he awaits word on his next opponent.

“I try not to worry too much about it, the negativity, if it sits, it takes root and it kind of blossoms,” Ruth said. “I always try to keep a positive mindset. I’m still going to be training, still going to be in shape, still going to be conditioning, it’s a no-brainer for me. I’ll always be ready, even if I’m not on this card, if they find one a week later, ill definitely be on that one.”