Visa Issues Cancel Mann-Arocho for Bellator 40

Visa issues have postponed Ronnie Mann's Bellator debut. | Daniel Herbertson/Sherdog.com

Ronnie Mann has reportedly been affected by visa issues that will prevent him from fighting at Bellator 40 against Josh Arocho as originally scheduled. Their bout has been indefinitely postponed until the aforementioned visa issues are resolved, at which time the promotion will reschedule.

Speaking to a source close to the fighter, Sherdog.com confirmed the news on Tuesday after MMAJunkie.com first reported the issues plaguing Mann's entry into the United States.

Bellator 40 goes down April 9 from the First Council Casino in Newkirk, Okla., and will be headlined by a non-title bout in which Bellator welterweight champion Ben Askren takes on well-traveled veteran Nick Thompson.

The card will also feature two tournament bouts, as Brent Weedman squares off with Jay Hieron to see who will face Rick Hawn in the tournament final, while a lightweight scrap between Lloyd Woodard and Michael Chandler determines Patricky Freire opponent in the final round.

Two preliminary contests were also added to the card on Monday, although a source close to the event informed Sherdog.com that one or both of the bouts might make the MTV2 broadcast.

In a welterweight affair, three-time Bellator veteran Tyler Stinson meets hometown favorite Nathan James, while Eric Prindle and Hammer House product Josh Burns lock horns in a heavyweight showdown.