UFC veterans come to rescue after visa issues hit Contender Series Brazil

Two UFC veterans have stepped up to replace fellow Brazilians that were forced out of Contender Series Brazil bouts scheduled for August.

MMA Fighting reported on Wednesday that at least seven fighters were pulled from the Contender Series Brazil events after dealing with visa issues, and sources have confirmed that Henrique da Silva and Marcio Alexandre Jr. are now in.

Da Silva will face Johnny Walker, who was originally matched-up against Joao Zaiden, and Marcio Alexandre Jr. takes on Leonardo Silva after Wellington Turman was removed from the card.

Da Silva (14-4) was let go by the UFC after losing to Gokhan Saki in September, which marked his fourth straight loss in the UFC, but returned to the winning column with a pair of wins in 2018 in Brazil. Walker (13-3) is riding a five-fight stoppage streak.

Alexandre Jr. (15-4), a TUF Brazil welterweight runner-up, went 0-3 in the UFC with losses to Warlley Alves, Tim Means and Court McGee. “Lyoto” has won four of five as a middleweight since leaving the promotion. Silva (12-2) only went the distance twice in his MMA career.

The UFC is still working on finding replacement for other Brazilian athletes that have dealt with visa issues.