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.
Get the latest gear
