Momma Filho: Visa issues force son Paulo to withdraw from DREAM 12

by Akimitsu Kuwabara on Oct 23, 2009 11:47 AM EDT

PRIDE veteran and former WEC Middleweight Champion, Paulo Filho, was unable to travel to Japan for his scheduled fight against Dong Sik Yoon at DREAM 12 from the Osaka-jo Hall on Oct. 25, according to Tatame.com.

The report cites a statement from Filho's mother, who blames Visa issues as the culprit behind her son's absence from Japan's inaugural cage fighting event.

This is not the first time controversy has surrounded the talented Brazilian. He experienced bouts with depression and an addiction to prescription drugs that led to his disastrous loss to Chael Sonnen in the WEC last year.

With the ordeal behind him, Filho rattled off two consecutive wins over Melvin Manhoef at DREAM 10 and Alex Schoenaur at Bitetti Combat in his home country of Brazil.

No word yet as to how this latest setback will affect his future bookings.

Polish MMA website MMA Rocks is reporting that Team Quest fighter Tarec Saffiedine will step up on short notice to replace him. "The Sponge" also answered a last-minute call to compete at DREAM 10, outpointing Seichi Ikemoto for the unanimous decision victory.

Yoon, currently on a three-fight losing streak, last suffered an anticlimactic TKO loss due to injury to TUF 8 alum, Jesse Taylor, also at DREAM 10.

He injured his foot after "JT Money" shot for a takedown early in the first round. Prior to DREAM 10, he has dropped bouts to Andrews Nakahara and Gegard Mousasi.

For more on the upcoming DREAM 12 event click here.

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I wonder who would win a fight between Filho’s momma and BJ’s momma.

by PW on Oct 23, 2009 12:02 PM EDT reply actions

Filho’s hands down. She;s been up in his fight business from way back in the start. BJ’s just came running her little boy cried to her that the commission was being a big meannie poophead!!!

by NameNotRequired on Oct 23, 2009 9:05 PM EDT up reply actions

that is an awful pic, poor Paulo

by budsykind on Oct 23, 2009 12:12 PM EDT reply actions

I’m tired hearing about this guy’s woes.

by JimmieGreens on Oct 23, 2009 12:23 PM EDT reply actions

This guy’s just a mess. A whining, drugging, fat little mess.

by MMArt on Oct 23, 2009 1:09 PM EDT reply actions

Mousasi needs to handle some business and finish this guy for us.

by RichT on Oct 23, 2009 1:17 PM EDT reply actions

I mean

by Robert(1) on Oct 23, 2009 1:27 PM EDT reply actions

What the hell, did they wait till the last minute to apply for the visa? You’re supposed to do that stuff as soon as you know you’re going to fight in another country, especially in one where you can’t just buy a visa at the airport upon arrival but have to be approved.