Paulo Filho has been forced to withdraw from his upcoming fight with Bellator middleweight champion Hector Lombard. The fight was to take place this Thursday, but Filho has backed out due to issues with his visa.

Jay Silva has been named as the replacement for Filho. Silva was already slated to fight on the card, but he will move up to the main event and face Lombard in a non-title fight.

Sports Illustrated’s Josh Gross first reported the story.

“It seems the event took too long in sending out the letter I needed to present at the consulate and I’m not sure but it could be there was some kind of failure on the part of my managers. So, I won’t get my visa in time,” said Filho.

Silva (5-3) is coming off back-to-back losses in the UFC to C.B. Dollaway and Chris Leben.

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