With both sides unable to come to terms on a contract, Joe Warren will no longer compete at Vale Tudo Japan 2009 against Japanese legend Rumina Sato. In Warren’s place, his Team Quest teammate Cory “The Savage” Grant will battle Sato at the event.

Lead Shooto promoter Sustain announced that Warren had been removed from the card due to injury, but Warren’s management have since clarified that Warren is not injured and the reason for his withdrawal from the event was due to contractual terms.

Grant (3-0-0) has yet to lose in his career, but has managed to stop just one opponent so far. He won his MMA debut by TKO in 2008 and is coming off of back-to-back decision wins in June of this year.

Sato (24-14-2) is a legend in Japan and formerly held the Shooto Pacific Rim Lightweight Championship. He has won just once in his last seven fights, however, and a loss to Grant would likely spell the end to the submission wizard’s illustrious career.

While he won’t be a part of the Vale Tudo Japan card, Warren is hard at work in training and is aiming for a return on New Year’s Eve.