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By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief
Despite CEO Bjorn Rebney's optimistic denial of Paulo Filho's visa issues last week, it appears Filho is out of his main event bout at Bellator 18 this Thursday against Hector Lombard.
According to SI.com's Josh Gross on his Twitter page, two time UFC competitor Jay Silva is taking his place.
Silva was brought into the UFC after a 5-1 start to his MMA career, with all five victories coming by stoppage. He dropped two straight decision victories in the UFC, to C.B. Dollaway and Chris Leben, before being released by the organization.
Lombard has fought three times since winning the season one Bellator tournament in the middleweight division last year, moving his winning streak to 13 fights and his unbeaten streak to 18.
Penick's Analysis: Silva's a decent replacement, but the fight is nowhere near as big for Bellator as the Filho one would have been. It's another disappointment out of Filho, and yet another organization that he's let down for one reason or another. The good news is Bellator fans will still get a look at Lombard on Thursday, and he'll definitely have a good chance of picking up an impressive victory. Silva now gets a major opportunity for an upset coming off of two straight UFC losses.
RELATED STORY: BELLATOR NEWS: CEO Bjorn Rebney says Filho vs. Lombard still on for Bellator 18 next Thursday:[CLICK TO READ FULL ARTICLE]
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Jamie Penick, editor-in-chief
(mmatorcheditor@gmail.com)
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