Sonnen vs. Shogun not happening at UFC 161 due to reported visa issues

Despite reports on Monday that Chael Sonnen (27-13-1 MMA, 6-6 UFC) would be stepping in for the injured Antonio Rogerio Nogueira (21-5 MMA, 4-2 UFC) against Shogun Rua (21-7 MMA, 5-5 UFC) in the co-main event of UFC 161, that fight will not be happening.

The UFC announced late Monday night that Shogun Rua was still without an opponent and had been removed from the June 15 card in Winnipeg.

It was reported that visa issues created problems for Mr. Sonnen to get across the Canadian border, and therefore the fight was put off.

“Tonight I was home with my team studying the fights of my new opponent for UFC 161 when I got the sad news that Chael Sonnen can’t make it to the event,” stated Shogun.

It is rumored that the Sonnen vs. Shogun fight could still come to fruition on August 17 at UFC on FOX Sports 1 in Boston.

UFC officials stated that UFC 161 would continue forward with 11 fights, and that Ryan Jimmo vs. Igor Pokrajac has now been moved up to the main card.

UFC 161 now looks as follows:

Main Card (Pay-per-view, 10 p.m. ET)
Rashad Evans vs. Dan Henderson
Stipe Miocic vs. Roy Nelson
Alexis Davis vs. Rosi Sexton
Pat Barry vs. Shawn Jordan
Ryan Jimmo vs. Igor Pokrajac

Prelim Card (FX, 8 p.m. ET)
Jake Shields vs. Tyron Woodley
James Krause vs. Sam Stout
Sean Pierson vs. Kenny Robertson
Roland Delorme vs. Edwin Figueroa

Prelim Card (Facebook, 7 p.m. ET)
Mitch Clarke vs. John Maguire
Yves Jabouin vs. Dustin Pague