LOS ANGELES – The injury that prevented Bellator middleweight champion Gegard Mousasi from defending his title on Saturday apparently won’t keep him out much longer.

Mousasi (45-6-2 MMA, 3-0 BMMA) was booked to put his belt up for grabs in a co-headlining matchup with Rafael Lovato Jr. (9-0 MMA, 5-0 BMMA) at Bellator 214, which takes place at The Forum in Inglewood, Calif. Unfortunately, Mousasi was forced to withdraw from the card due to an undisclosed injury.

Bellator President Scott Coker on Thursday revealed during a scrum at Bellator 214 media day that Mousasi is targeting a return to the cage in April or May. However, there’s a twist.

Lovato Jr. solidified a title shot with an undefeated record that includes six consecutive Bellator wins. Former UFC champ Lyoto Machida (25-8 MMA, 1-0 BMMA) announced his arrival as a contender at 185 pounds with a win over ex-titleholder Rafael Carvalho at Bellator 212 in December, though. When asked if “The Dragon” could get the shot instead, Coker was noncommittal.

“Last I heard from (Mousasi), he’s thinking about an April, May type comeback fight,” Coker said. “That’s what we’re looking at. I’m not sure (who he will fight).”

Mousasi, No. 3 in the latest USA TODAY Sports/MMAjunkie MMA middleweight rankings, is coming off a dominant display and first title defense of his belt against Rory MacDonald at Bellator 206 in September. “The Dreamcatcher” is on an eight-fight winning streak and has experienced just one defeat in the past four years.

For more on Bellator 214, check out the MMA Rumors section of the site.