Little known fact

Pretty much. But they had a different suit for the Predator before Kevin Peter Hall was brought in so that might be a contributing factor.

First suit was retarded, and it was side show role. Just like Darth Vader. Idiot suit side role, they changed it cause actor complained and voila. So thank you Van Claude Jean Damme

The novelization still included it though because it was based on earlier draft of the movie. But you are right.

That's the design that appears in the novelization.