Mairbek Taisumov out of UFC 223 fight vs. Evan Dunham due to visa issues

Mairbek Taisumov’s difficulty acquiring a visa that will allow him to fight Stateside has forced him to withdraw from his scheduled UFC 223 bout against Evan Dunham.

Taisumov (26-5 MMA, 6-1 UFC) was scheduled to fight Dunham (18-6-1 MMA, 11-6-1 UFC) in a lightweight bout at UFC 223, which takes place April 7 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, N.Y. But according to the Russian, his visa process hit a snag that cannot be cleared in time for next month’s card.

Taisumov confirmed his withdrawal from UFC 223 on social media (via Instagram):

Disappointing news – My visa application for the USA is taking longer than my team and the UFC expected. The visa process is still ongoing albeit at a slower pace than anticipated. I am hoping that Sean Shelby will be able to find me a fight in Rio on May 12th and I hope to fight in the USA shortly. Thanks to Evan Dunham who accepted to fight me unlike many others from the Top 15. Wish you a good fight in Brooklyn and I'm ready to give you a fight either in Rio or once my visa run is done. #taisumov #berkut #berkutmma #ufc223

A post shared by Mairbek Taisumov Official. (@taisumov155) on Mar 9, 2018 at 6:41am PST

Disappointing news – My visa application for the USA is taking longer than my team and the UFC expected. The visa process is still ongoing albeit at a slower pace than anticipated. I am hoping that Sean Shelby will be able to find me a fight in Rio on May 12th and I hope to fight in the USA shortly. Thanks to Evan Dunham who accepted to fight me unlike many others from the Top 15. Wish you a good fight in Brooklyn and I’m ready to give you a fight either in Rio or once my visa run is done.

Taisumov has been forced to withdraw from multiple UFC fights in the past due to his difficulty obtaining a U.S. visa. The 29-year-old fought once in California back in July 2011, but since has only competed in Europe, Asia and South America.

The matchup with Dunham would have been a significant one for Taisumov, who is riding a five-fight winning streak at 155 pound, all of which have come by knockout.

Taisumov said he hopes for a booking at May’s UFC 224 in Brazil. Dunham still clearly wants to fight at UFC 223, though, and even publicly accepted a challenge from Olivier Aubin-Mercier (10-2 MMA, 6-2 UFC) for the card (via Twitter):

For more on UFC 223, check out the UFC Rumors section of the site.