Former Bellator heavyweight champion Vitaly Minakov’s Saturday night fight has been canceled.
Minakov (22-1 MMA, 6-1 BMMA) was scheduled to square off against veteran slugger Javy Ayala on the main card of Bellator 232, but the Russian competitor could not secure a visa in time for the show.
Russian news agency TASS initially reported the fight fallout. MMA Junkie confirmed the news with Bellator officials, who also told MMA Junkie that company has pulled Ayala (11-7 MMA, 6-4 BMMA) from the show and will not seek a last-minute replacement.
Bellator 232 takes place Saturday at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn. The main card streams on DAZN following prelims on MMA Junkie. The card is headlined by a rematch between Bellator welterweight champion Rory MacDonald and former champ Douglas Lima in the finals of the welterweight grand prix tournament.
Bellator 232: Vitaly Minakov's fight with Javy Ayala canceled due to via issues