Mauricio “Shogun” Rua will have to wait another few months to fight. According to Tatame magazine’s Guilherme Cruz, Visa issues have forced the UFC to scrap the co-main event bout at UFC 161 between Shogun and Chael Sonnen.
Chael Sonnen not fighting Shogun Rua at UFC 161 due to visa issues, I’m told
— Guilherme Cruz (@guicruzzz) June 4, 2013
It was yesterday that numerous sources reported that Sonnen would step in for the injured Antonio Rogerio Nogueira to take on the Brazilian Rua.
Back in 2011 Sonnen pleaded guilty to money laundering in a mortgage fraud in his hometown of Oregon. Unfortunately for Sonnen, the charge makes it more difficult to get a work visa due to the fact that he’s a convicted felon.
The Twitterverse has exploded since the news of the cancellation and according to Shogun himself, he will be fighting at the UFC on FOX Sports 1 1 event in Boston, Mass. on August 17.
No word on what will happen with such a short time to find a replacement co-main at UFC 161, but more than likely Roy Nelson vs. Stipe Miocic will become the new one.
