Kala Kolohe Hose's long-awaited title shot will have to wait even longer.

Hose was set to face champion Robbie Lawler for the Icon Sport middleweight championship this Saturday at the Blaisdell Center Arena, but Lawler is expected to withdraw from the bout today because of a torn bicep.

Icon Sport officials have scheduled a press conference for this afternoon to address the situation.

Lawler injured his arm while training last week.

A decision on the status of Saturday's Icon Sport: Fearless mixed martial arts card will be announced today.

Icon Sport officials are trying to find a replacement fighter to face Hose in a non-title bout in the main event.

There are 14 other bouts scheduled on the card, including two state championship bouts.

It is the third time this year that the bout between Hose and Lawler has been postponed.

It was originally scheduled for June, but Lawler injured his shoulder while training for that bout. It was then rescheduled for September, but Lawler had an opportunity to fight for a world championship in another organization, prompting the push to the December date.

Lawler, who is from Iowa, is 16-4 and won the Icon Sport middleweight (185 pounds) championship in March with a fourth-round knockout of Frank Trigg. He also won the EliteXC organization's middleweight championship in September with a third-round knockout of Murilo "Ninja" Rua.

Hose, who is from Wai'anae, is 4-1, with all four of his victories coming via knockout.

Icon Sport officials are expected to announce a new date for the Hose-Lawler bout today. Hose is expected to face Lawler for the title in 2008, regardless of what happens this Saturday.

Reach Dayton Morinaga at dmorinaga@honoluluadvertiser.com.