Bellator 232 Loses Vitaly Minakov-Javy Ayala Bout Due to Visa Issues

Bellator 232 is down one bout after a proposed clash between Vitaly Minakov and Javy Ayala was canceled due to visa issues for the Russian heavyweight.

Sherdog.com confirmed the news with a promotion official following an initial report from Russian outlet TASS. Ayala will not remain on the card due to the short-notice nature of Minakov’s withdrawal. The heavyweights were initially scheduled to square off at Bellator 225, but Ayala was forced out on the day of the event because of an infection on the side of his knee.

Bellator 232 takes place at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn., on Saturday and is headlined by the welterweight grand prix final between reigning champion Rory MacDonald and Douglas Lima.

Ayala halted a two-bout skid in his last outing, as he scored a second-round TKO of Frank Mir at Bellator 212 on Dec. 14. A former heavyweight champion with the California-based promotion, Minakov is coming off a first-round knockout of Timothy Johnson at Bellator 225.